Father Stan Martinka

Martinka, Father Stan Age 82, of New Ulm, Minnesota passed away on Saturday March 12 due to complications from leukemia. Fr. Stan founded and directed the San Alfonso Mission in Juarez, Mexico whose function is to serve the very poor. For more than 30 years, Fr. Stan and the mission touched the lives of thousands of individuals and families in Juarez, providing education, healthcare and housing. In his early years, as a student at the University of St. Thomas, he earned bachelor's degrees in chemistry and biology, as well as a place in the university's Athletic Hall of Fame. His senior-year discus throw of 154 feet stood for 27 years. He later earned master's degrees in education and sociology. He was ordained in 1961 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Before founding the San Alfonso Mission, Fr. Stan served in the Air Force and later became an Army Chaplain, serving in Germany, Korea and during combat years in Viet Nam. In 1993, the University of St. Thomas Alumni Association honored Fr. Stan with its Humanitarian of the Year award. The remarkable work of the San Alfonso mission continues. Donations to the San Alfonso Mission, P. O. Box 745876, Arvada, CO 80004 will be appreciated. He was preceded in death by his parents Alphonse and Marie and his sister Jermayn Leavitt. He is survived by his brother Eugene (Betty) Martinka of New Ulm, MN and sister Marianne (Connie) Schmid of Shakopee, MN. A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Mark's Church in Shakopee, MN on April 16th 2011 at 10:00 AM.