Kent Charles Martinson

Surrounded by his family in love and prayer, Kent Charles Martinson returned home to his Heavenly Father on March 10, 2018. Of his own free will, Kent came home to Worland Healthcare for end of life care a week before his passing, at age 63.

Kent was the youngest of four children born December 1, 1954 to Charles Ernest and Helen (Christopherson) Martinson in Soda Springs, Idaho. He spent his first 13 years in Soda Springs before moving to Worland with his family where he remained for the rest of his life. After graduating with honors from Worland High School in 1973, he attended Powell College. He married Nancy Schmeltzer in 1977. To this union, four boys were born, Mike, Andrew, Tim and Steve. The couple later divorced. He married Ann I. Szabo (Huntley) in 2010, gaining a step-son, John.

Kent worked as a cement worker in several jobs including Mike Decker Construction and Haliburton as well as firms in Thermopolis. In 1989, he began working at the Wyoming Boys School until 2011 when he retired due to ill health. Aside from cement work, he enjoyed wood-working in his spare time.

Overcoming his own trials and tribulations, Kent eventually becoming a facilitator for the Addiction Recovery Classes in Worland in 2011. The last class he helped with was held in his room at Worland Healthcare just days before he passed. During this time, he found he had a passion for helping others. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was committed to serving in any calling he received. He was very proud of his boys and his grandchildren. His phone was filled with photographs "stolen" off Facebook, so he could enjoy them.

In the last week of his life his room was seldom empty as friends and family came to visit, but found themselves being comforted by Kent as he shared smiles, love and laughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Alan, brother-in-law, Darrell Kunz and nephew Douglas.

Survivors include his wife, Ann; sons: Michael (Judy) Martinson, Andrew (Sarah) Martinson all of Worland, Timothy Martinson of New Castle, Wyoming, Steven Martinson of Deer Park, Texas and step-son, John Szabo of Aspen, Colorado; sisters: Kathy Kunz of Worland and Helen Nelson of Cheyenne; grandchildren: Madaline, Katherine, Lucy, Hazel, Leo, Bernadette, Benedict, Abby, Edward, Lincoln, Lillianna and Zoe; sister-in-law, Jan Martinson of Kirksville, Missouri; 3 nieces, 7 nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with Bishop Berry Reed officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Committal services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the New Hope Humane Society c/o Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made to http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.