My Pop

As you may know, my Pop passed away last Friday. He lived a long and happy 90 and a half years, and it gives me peace knowing he's in peace now. The last few months of his life were a little rough, and his body was just tired. It's comforting to know he's finally at home. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and please keep my Mamu in your prayers. She's a strong woman, but she still needs His strength during this time.

Here's a photo of us kids with Pop on his 90th birthday.


Martin Hoel Jr.
Martin Hoel Jr., 90, of Clifton, died Friday. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, in Our Savior's Lutheran Church at Norse. Burial will follow in the Norse Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Martin S. Hoel Jr. was born on Feb. 16, 1917, on the family farm near Norse. His parents were Martin and Clarice Johnson Hoel. He was one of six children. He was baptized April 6, 1917, confirmed June 26, 1932, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at Norse, where he was a lifetime member. Martin attended school at Bee Hill, Norse and Clifton College Academy. He married Irene Conrad in 1943. To this union was born one daughter, Connie Jo. The first 67 years of his life was spent in the Norse community within a few miles of where he was born. Following Irene's death, he married Lydia Orbeck in 1984 and moved to Clifton. He and Irene traveled throughout the United States during their marriage. During his marriage to Lydia, they continued the travels to include many parts of the world. Martin was a full-time farmer until he retired in 1979. He served on the Clifton ISD school board, was trustee of Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home, served on various county agricultural committees, was active in the Farmer's Home Administration, and most of all he was active in most offices of his church, Our Saviors. Martin was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Connie; his sisters, Lois, Doris and Lottie; and his brother, J.C. He is survived by his wife, Lydia Hoel; son-in-law, Rick Lundberg; sister, Almarie Kappler and husband, Rubin of Baytown; stepchildren, Christine Hebert, Julia Smith and husband, Gary, Bill Orbeck and wife, Beth, Laura Trussell and husband, Mike, and Becky Kindred and husband, Zane; grandchildren, Stacey Lundberg Stiff and husband, Tim and Adam Lundberg and wife, Tricia; 18 step-grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Family suggests memorials to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home. Clifton Funeral Home, Clifton February 16, 1917 - August 10, 2007