Memorial

David “Deda” Gardner Martin, 66, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was born April 20, 1955 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Dwight and Jane (Johnson) Martin. He passed away February 8, 2022, after a battle with ALS. Visitation will take place on February 16 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on February 17 at 10:00am. A burial will be held after the service, at St. John’s cemetery. 

Dave graduated from Washington High School in 1973. While in high school he was a varsity baseball pitcher and ran state track. Dave attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he began his long distance running career. In 1981, Dave married Stacy (Severa) Martin at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. They had two children, Joseph and Samantha.

After college, Dave ran the Cedar Rapids YMCA baseball league. He taught for over 30 years in the Cedar Rapids area at St. Jude’s, Pierce Elementary, and Prairie View Elementary.  He spent several years as a substitute teacher for both his children. He was the parish manager at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He continued his love of running in 5 and 10ks, and ran over 50 marathons, becoming known as “the marathon man”. While running was a huge passion for him, he was also a great advocate for the American Cancer Society, raising money through his extravagant running missions. His biggest run was when he ran from the Cedar Rapids area, to the UniDome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Dave is survived by his wife Stacy; children Joseph (Jackie) and Samantha (Josh) Paulson; grandchildren, Jacey, JD, Emma, and Madison; mother, Jane Martin; siblings, Susan (Dennis) Stevenson, Chuck, and Jon (Colleen); sister-in laws, Nancy (Mike) Zimmers, Sidney (Larry) Lutz, and Sara (Duane) Tack; many nieces and nephews; as well as his yellow Labrador’s, Boomer and Tater.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dwight Martin; father-in-law, Joseph Severa; mother-in-law, Elaine Severa; brother-in law, Tim Severa; sister-in-law, Mary Smalley; grandparents Charles and Gladys, Luther and Elsie Johnson; and several loyal family canines. 

The family would like to offer special thanks to everyone who supported Dave’s journey with ALS.

Memorials can be directed to the family to be distributed to American Cancer Society, ALS Association, and St. Wenceslaus Church.