Hubert W. DeMartelaere

Hubert W. DeMartelaere, 73, of Detroit Lakes died Tuesday, 11 October 2011 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Hubert William DeMartelaere was born on 4 May 1938 on the family farm North of Minneota, Minnesota to Emil and Rachel (Van Keulen) DeMartelaere. He attended a one-room country school in Lyon County until the 3rd grade when his family moved to Green Valley, MN. In Green Valley, it was a two-room country school which he attended through the 6th grade. Hubert went to high school in Cottonwood, MN, graduating in 1956. Following high school Hubert volunteered for the Minnesota Army National Guard and completed basic training at Fort Ord, California in 1957. For eleven years he served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and later the North Dakota Air National Guard achieving the rank of Sergeant. Upon return to Minnesota from basic training, he enrolled at the Dunwoody College of Technology (formerly the Dunwoody Industrial Institute), Minneapolis, where he graduated in 1961 with certification in Highway, Railroad, and Municipal Engineering. Following graduation Hubert was employed by the State of Minnesota Department of Transportation. He worked at field offices in both Morris and Alexandria, MN, before transferring to Detroit Lakes. He retired from the State of Minnesota after thirty-nine years of service in September, 2000. While working in Alexandria, Hubert, met his future wife, Jean Marie Klimek. They were wed 20 July 1963 in Alexandria, MN. They made their home in Alexandria until moving to Detroit Lakes in 1967. They were blessed with forty-three years of marriage and three daughters. Hubert served as a volunteer fireman in Detroit Lakes rising to the position of Assistant Chief and eventually retiring after twenty years of service. Hubert also served the local community as elected clerk of the Detroit Township Board for thirteen years. Surviving Hubert are his three daughters, Dione (Gerry Hansen) DeMartelaere of Eagan, MN, Sheri Lynn DeMartelaere of San Antonio, TX, and Jodi (Michael) Ramirez of Shakopee, MN; six grandchildren Kaitlyn DeMartelaere, Tyler Ramirez, Mikaela DeMartelaere, Christian Ramirez, Ella DeMartelaere, Samuel Ramirez; and his siblings, Donald (Ruth) DeMartelaere of Fergus Falls, MN, Marjorie (Bud) Caron of Papillion, NE, Marlene (Paul) Perez of San Jose, CA, and Mary Ann (Julius) DeVos of Lakeville, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean (2005) and his parents.