Martin Coyer

Martin Coyer

1928 - 2025

Martin Alan Coyer, 97, died November 23, 2025, at Grand Itasca Hospital in Grand Rapids, MN.

He was born August 12, 1928, in Albert Lea, MN, the son of Lester C. Coyer and Orrilla (Bathke) Coyer. At an early age the family moved to North Mankato, MN, where he grew up and graduated from Mankato High School in 1946. In 1950, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Forest Management.

Martin served from 1951-1952 in the Army during the Korean War ,where he had a 15-month tour of duty with the 32nd Engineer Construction Group in Wonju, Korea. He married Joan Wickstrom at Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet, MN, on September 10, 1955 and they raised five daughters together.

Martin worked as a forester from 1953-1966 for Diamond International Corporation at Grand Rapids, Mancos, CO, and Cloquet. In 1966, he was employed by the Wheeler Lumber Bridge and Supply Co. in Cass Lake, MN as Woodlands Manager, and the family moved to Bemidji. Wheeler was acquired by St. Regis Paper Co. in 1968 and when St. Regis was acquired by Champion International in 1984, he became Resident Manager. In 1987, he went to work for Lake Superior Paper Industries in Duluth as a Wood Procurement Forester and the family moved to Grand Rapids. He retired in May 1992.

He was active in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout. As an adult Scouter in Bemidji, he was awarded the Silver Beaver. He served in various Commissioner roles and on District committees, and on the executive board of the Headwaters Area Council.

Martin was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener and loved going to the family cabin on the North Shore. He also loved playing cribbage with family and friends. He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids and became a part of the Lutheran Cursillo Community. He was active with Habitat for Humanity, where he served on the board of directors from 1996-99, and on the Fundraising Committee for 14 years.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Joan; daughter, Lynne (Joe) Panci; and brothers, Burt Coyer and Gene Coyer. He is survived by four daughters, Gayle Coyer, Grand Rapids (who lived with him the last eight years of his life); Cheryl (Mark) Couch, Palmer, AK; Jill (Bill) DeVita, Stevens Point, WI; Christy (Darren) Scovel, Federal Way, WA; son-in-law, Joe Panci; sister-in-law, Shirley Coyer; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, beginning at 10:00 AM and lasting until the 11:00 AM memorial service, with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial donations can be made to the Grand Rapids food shelf through Second Harvest Northland.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.