Gerald 'Jerry' Dane Martin, 87

The family of Gerald “Jerry” Dane Martin is saddened to share the peaceful passing of our father Dec. 2, 2025, at the age of 87, surrounded by loving family members. 

Gerald Dane Martin was born to Ira Martin and Lois Faye (Hetrick) Martin on Nov. 25, 1938, in Salem, Ore. He was the first of two children, joined a few years later by his sister, Patricia. He often reminisced in his later years about the idyllic days they lived rurally in Oregon. The family lived near Salem for Jerry’s early childhood, where he attended Vail Grade School through fifth grade, and then, after a family move to Athol, Idaho, he attended Athol Grade School and Spirit Lake High School. Jerry completed high school as a Coeur d’Alene Viking following his family’s move to Dalton Gardens in 1955, graduating from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1958.

After marrying his high school sweetheart Judy (Novak) in 1959, he and Judy welcomed four children together: Rick, Randy, Deb and Ron. Not long after his first marriage ended, Jerry met Carol (Knapp) Weddle and, when they married in 1967, he gained a bonus daughter, Laurie. Two years later, he and Carol welcomed their sixth child, Jerry, together. Following Carol’s passing after 39 years of marriage, Jerry later married Eleanor (Kuchynski) Best in 2007, with whom he has shared 18 years. 

Jerry thrived on being dad to his large family, enjoying frequent sledding, camping, hiking outings and trips to Canada and the Oregon Coast. Following Jerry’s retirement in 2001, he and Carol became “snowbirds,” traveling every winter to Quartzite, Ariz. In later years, Jerry and Ellie enjoyed living in a home in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., for several winters. Traveling, camping, fishing, hunting, bicycling and golfing were some of Jerry’s favorite activities. Many memories were made at Round Lake State Park and at Big Hank Campground on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. Jerry was a skilled hunter, successfully hunting elk, deer and his biggest pride, a bull moose that had eluded him for years. 

Dad’s love of country was deep, and he served with pride for nine years in the Idaho Army National Guard, joining in 1956 and being honorably discharged in 1965 as a Staff Sergeant with Battery A, 1st Howitzer Battalion (155mm) (SP) 148th Artillery. He remained patriotic his entire life, proudly flying a U.S. flag at both his home and his RV whenever he traveled.

Jerry began working at Idaho Veneer Plant in Post Falls right out of high school, and retired from there as Veneer Plant Supervisor in 2001 after 40+ years of service. Jerry’s faith was strong, joining Christ the King Lutheran Church in 1967 and staying active in many Men’s and Service groups there for many years. He later attended Life Center Church and Lake City Community Church in Cd’A, and he also enjoyed worshipping at rural churches during his many travels. 

Jerry was an avid square-dancer since 1988, he and Carol dancing with the Activ-8-ers, the Coeurly-Qs, the Thunderbirds, the Cactus Dodgers and the Jacks and Jennys. Ellie and Jerry later continued the square-dancing tradition for many years, and Jerry cherished the lifelong friendships he formed while square-dancing.

Dad could repair just about anything, and if he couldn’t, he would usually give it a try anyway. Many times, he rescued friends and family members from broken pipes or failed roof repairs, always ready to help when they were in need. He described himself as “Bashful” in his senior class annual, and he willed all of his “good cooking techniques to the girls in next year’s home ec. classes” — but it turned out he was anything but bashful and he held on to those cooking skills his entire life, enjoying making homemade salsa and canning fruits and vegetables as his specialties. Jerry had a larger-than-life personality and to know him was to like him. Always an inspiration to family, friends, coworkers, fellow square dancers and companion church members, Jerry was admired for his genuine personality, his willingness to share a story or have a good laugh, and his solid Christian faith. Jerry saw the best in everyone he met, and if he could help you with the shirt off his back, he sure would.  

Jerry is survived by his wife, Eleanor Martin; his sons, Richard (Peri), Randolph (Sheila), Ronald (Ronda) and Gerald (Rita) Martin; and daughters Deborah Randolph and Laureen (Mike) Atwood; Ellie’s children: Kreg Kaisershot, Karla (Paul) Didier, Kelly Kaisershot; his sister, Patricia (Reena) Braddock; 13 grandchildren: Ryan, Kyle, Alexandra, Nicholas, Bryce, Leah, Calen, Cameron, Kristi, Sage, Kevin, Natasha, Tatiana; and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Lois Martin; his wife, Carol; and granddaughter KC May. 

Jerry’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Honeysuckle Senior Living, especially caregivers Jody and Kristi, and Advanced Home Health and Hospice of Northern Idaho for their caring attention to our father in his final years. 

Funeral Services will be held at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Monday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at Forest Cemetery, 1011 N. Government Way. After the cemetery, please join the family for a reception to celebrate Jerry’s life at Axe Force One, 1207 N. Fourth St., Suite 101, Cd’A. In memory of Jerry, family and friends are invited to wear flannel plaid shirts as he loved, and we will raise a “Cheers” in tribute to him at the reception.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church Love Pantry Cd’A in Jerry’s memory. 

Please visit Jerry’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guestbook.