Kenneth Laverne Martin, age 87, an Elma resident, died peacefully on Nov. 1, 2020, in Elma. Ken Martin was born Jan. 29, 1933, in Clarinda, Iowa to Robert and Virginia Martin. The Martin family moved west to Bozeman, Montana, during his childhood years. At age 9, they moved to Malone, Washington.

At age 17, Ken joined the Air Force and later was discharged to run the family logging business as his father’s health was failing. Ken continued work in the timber industry working for private landowners, Simpson Timber, and Port Blakely for many years, including owning his own log trucks before transitioning to cedar salvage on the Olympic Peninsula. He opened Elma Cedar Products and as a skilled machine fabricator designed several sawmills as well as wood products. Ten years later he reorganized to Martin’s Statuary.

In the early ‘70s he purchased land in the Chehalis Valley that he developed into the Elma Airport.

Ken married Nadine Ann Miller on Dec. 2, 1955 in Elma. He is survived by Nadine, his three children: Dennis (Midge) Martin, Nancy (Larry) Jensen, and Mitzi (Steve) Schindele; his sister Connie (Lynn) Brinks; grandchildren: Jenny, Jonathan, JoBeth, Amy, Jill, April, Jordan, Dustin and Bryan, along with numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters: Beverly, Cathy, and Joan.

Ken has been an active member of Grace Community Church in Elma and a dedicated Christian throughout his adult life, and loved the Lord with all his heart. It is with this great love that he instilled in his children the love of our Lord. Christ’s love teaches us the sting of death on this earth is only temporary and the hope of meeting again in heaven is in our minds and hearts.

Ken was known for his firm handshakes, hugs, and his favorite motto of “DESSERT FIRST” – preferably pie.

The family will have a private burial, and a celebration of life at a later date.