H. Martin Van Deuren

PORTAGE  -- H. Martin Van Deuren, age 70, passed away on Sunday afternoon, December 30, 2012 at Tivoli Nursing Home in Portage. 

Marty was born on October 4, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Herbert L. and Margaret (Sullivan) Van Deuren.  He graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1960, and UW-Stevens Point in 1964.   Marty was married to Lynn De Faut on September 19, 1964 in Milwaukee.  He taught English in Waterloo, WI from 1964-1966.  Marty then moved to Portage where he taught high school English Literature until his retirement in 2000.  Marty coached basketball and track for many years including serving as assistant coach for the 1982 state championship boys’ basketball team.  He never questioned his calling to work with young people as an educator and coach, and he took great pleasure and pride in the accomplishments of his students over two generations.

Marty was also a dedicated family man and civically minded as a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the Kiwanis Key Club and Knights of Columbus.  He was also an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed vacations with family in northern Wisconsin fishing at Johnson Lake, working on the tour boats in Wisconsin Dells in the summer, duck and deer hunting in the fall, and ice fishing in the winter.  Marty loved to be outside working in the gardens or on the lawn.  He also loved woodworking, carefully refinishing many pieces of furniture for family members.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn; his children, Dr. Amy Van Deuren of Janesville, Eric Van Deuren of Sacramento, CA, Heidi (Patrick) Johnson of Washington, D.C., and Sonja (Timm) Jacobson of Windsor; his six grandchildren, Carter and Aiden Van Deuren, Isabelle Rashkin, and Jack, Tommy, and Erin Johnson; two sisters, Gretchen (Clifford) Klundt and Paula (Michael) Klubertanz, three brothers, Gregory, Michael, and Peter; and other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Burial will be private in Silver Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Tivoli for their compassionate and personalized care of Marty over the past several years.  Thanks are also extended to Dr. Whiting and Southern Care Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to St. Mary’s School Scholarship Fund and Portage High College Scholarship Program.