Vic Martinson                 Vic Martinson passed away on July 2, 2016 at the age of 75. He was surrounded by his loving family, and all of our hearts are broken.   Victor A. Martinson was born in Tony, WI, on July 27 1940 to Ralph and Pauline (Jamoski) Martinson. He grew up in West Duluth. From a very early age, his musical genius was evident. He was a self-taught musician, who played locally and throughout the country with names such as Jonny Cash, Marty Robbins, The Everly Brothers, and Roy Orbison. He is a lifetime member of the Duluth branch of the American Federation of Musicians, Union Local 18. His musical career spanned 50 years, playing in well known in such bands as Vic & the Versatiles, Vic Martinson and the Three Bears, Green Apple Quick Step, Apple Jack, and others. After his band days, he was always hesitant to pick up his guitar and play but once he did, he stole the show. Vic was an iron worker for 23 years, and retired a proud lifetime member of the Iron Workers Union Local 563 (later 512). He was dependable, ready to help, and eager to make friends. His sociability quickly set people at ease. He was an avid gardener, fisherman, hunter, cook, and bonfire maker. Vic was a faithful supporter of disabled veterans and the Red Cross. In 1958, Vic married Irene Newlander, settling in Proctor, MN, where they raised four children, but later parted ways. In 1990, Vic Married Ellen Wedan. The two made a home on Park Point in Duluth, MN and later retired to Island Lake, north of Duluth. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Donald Isakson, and his lifelong friend, Bunny Waterhouse. He is survived by a loving family, sisters Ruth (Elmer) Althaus, Shirley Isakson, and brother Henry Martinson; children Julie Steele, Shelly (Al) Kivisto, Craig (Julie) Martinson, and Todd (Mary) Martinson, Rick (Liz) Wedan, Steve (Cherri) Wedan, and Walter Wedan; along with grandchildren Erik and Sean Kivisto, Lauren Martinson, Alex, Skyler, Laveena and Mathew Martinson, Steven and Autumn Wedan, and Madison, Riley and Robbie Wedan. A celebration of life service will be on Friday, July 8, 2016 at noon at Sunrise Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. We want to send a special thank you to the wonderful staff at St. Luke's as well as the volunteer emergency responders who all worked so hard to keep Vic with us.