Martin “Marty” Waananen, 92, of Iron Mountain, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at Freeman’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Community in Kingsford. Marty was born on September 2, 1926 in Kiva, Michigan (the Upper Peninsula) and was the youngest of six children of Finnish immigrant parents, Kalle and Vera (Ruska) Waananen. He grew up on the family farm and attended the two-room school next to the farm.
His high school graduating class in Trenary had thirteen students. After graduating, he worked with his father on the farm for a few years but then decided to go to college. He completed two years at Northern Michigan University before transferring to Michigan State University where he completed his BS degree in agricultural economics.
From there he went to the University of Illinois for his MS and PhD degrees in agricultural economics. His first faculty position was at the University of Arizona. In 1954 he accepted a position at Washington State University and served on the faculty for 34 years, retiring in 1988.
In 1951 Marty married Joan Thune at the Thune’s summer home at Lake Ellen near Channing, Michigan. Marty and Joan had two children, Wendy and Kurt. Joan was an elementary school teacher and taught many years in Pullman, Washington.
Marty and Joan and family enjoyed their summer home on Lake Coeur d’Alene and their condo at Schweitzer Basin in North Idaho. They did a lot of camping and traveling, especially in the West. Marty’s work in international agricultural development at WSU took him to many foreign countries, and Joan went with him to some of them.
In 1962-63 Marty and family lived in Finland where Marty had a Fulbright Research Grant and professional leave from WSU. From 1985 to 1987 Marty and Joan lived in Peshawar, Pakistan where Marty was a member of a University of Illinois 4-person team working on a USAID project at the NWFP University to strengthen their program in agriculture. He retired after a 34-year career at WSU, serving in various roles, ending as Assistant Director of Resident Instruction in 1988.
Their good life together ended when Joan died of cancer in July, 1996. In October 1997, Marty married Elizabeth Weber, one of the thirteen in his high school graduating class. Marty and Liz (Betty to some) met again at a high school reunion and that was the beginning of a new chapter for both.
They spent summers at her home at Moon Lake in Iron Mountain, Michigan and winters at his home in Pullman, Washington. They went to Palm Springs every winter for short visits. In October 2014, they sold Marty’s home in Pullman and moved permanently to Iron Mountain.
Marty was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, his parents, 3 brothers, two sisters, and his infant son, Mark. Marty is survived by his daughter, Wendy Waananen of Eugene, Oregon; his son, Kurt (Susan) Waananen of Sacramento, California; his wife, Elizabeth and her children; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, Mar.
22 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain followed by an 11:00 service at the church. Pastor Paul Strom will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain or any other charity of choice.
Condolences to the family of Marty Waananen may be expressed online at www. ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Martin V Waananen please visit our Sympathy Store.
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