Martin Dean Pietz Sr.

1943 - 2025

Martin Dean Pietz Sr.

November 10, 1943 - February 5, 2025

Lacey, Washington - Martin was born Maurice Dean Vetter on November 10, 1943, Olympia, WA. The son of John Vetter and Irene Vetter (Pietz). When the marriage ended, Irene changed her son's name to Martin David Pietz.

Irene and Martin then went to live with her parents, Otto and Gertrude Pietz until 1955 when Irene married Stanley R. Anderson. Martin attended Washington Elementary school and graduated from Olympia High School in 1962. He then attended Pacific Lutheran University in 1962-63 before transferring to the University of Washington (UW). He graduated from UW in 1966 with a Bachelors of Business Administration.

Upon graduating, Martin went to work for the Boeing Company, Aerospace Group in Seattle, WA. It was an exciting time, as this part of the company had a major role in early space exploration, mainly the lunar landing---- the quote said by Neil Armstrong, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

While working as a financial planner at Boeing, Martin enlisted in the Army's National Guard, attending basic training at Fort Bragg, NC and arsenal training at Fort Meade, Maryland.

In 1973 Martin left Seattle and was employed in Olympia at the Employment Security Dept. where he spent several years before transferring to the Highway Department/Department of Transportation. He held various positions ultimately becoming the Executive Director of Research until his retirement in 2000 with 30 yrs of service in the State of Washington.

Martin married Sandra Lee Alexander in 1975; they have two children (Martin David Jr. and Lauren Elizabeth Pietz). The marriage ended in 1984.

Marty remained a bachelor until the year 1998 when he and Julie Carrasco married after a seven-year courtship. They partnered in raising five teenagers and their seven grandchildren into adulthood in Lacey, WA.

They had a wonderful 32 years of life together surrounded by their kids. Marty took up sailing and golfing while Julie enjoyed doing extensive local community, civic and church activities. They had many years of wonderful celebrations together.

After the children were out of the home, they traveled extensively and enjoyed their later years at home beautifying their yard and home through various remodeling projects prior to Marty's heart disease diagnoses.

They cherished time with their beautiful, blended family. Son David Pietz Jr., Daughter and son-in-law Lauren & KL Wombacher and granddaughter Madison; Son-in-law and daughter-in-law Joe & Brenda and granddaughters Jessica and Morgan Villarreal; Daughter-in-law and son-in-law Julee and Jeff Turpin and grandson Tyler McCoy; Son-in-law and daughter-in-law Michael & Lani and grandson and granddaughter-in-law Alex & Jasmine Villarreal, granddaughters Samantha Short and Victoria Villarreal.

Family and Friends are invited to attend the Memorial Services & Reception at 11 am PST on March 14, 2025 at Gloria Dei, Lutheran Church and interment at Forest Memorial Gardens Cemetery in West Olympia.