Martin W. Imlay

Martin William Imlay, age 86, lifelong rural Lake Crystal farmer, died Thursday, October 24, 2019.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2019 at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m., Sunday at Northview and will continue one hour before service on Monday. Interment will be in Jerusalem Cemetery, rural Lake Crystal. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Cambria Presbyterian Church.

Martin was born on the family farm in Judson Township, Minnesota, July 5, 1933, to Elmer and Hannah (Jones) Imlay. He often joked that he was born on the family farm and would someday be buried in the cemetery on the corner of the family farm. Martin graduated from Lake Crystal High School. He married Catherine (Rooney) on November 12, 1955. Catherine passed away in 1964 leaving behind four rambunctious young boys; Steve, Bill, James and Mark. Love came a second time around when he met Phyllis (Jorgenson) Larson. They were married 52 years ago, when during a busy farming season, they snuck off to the Little Brown Church in Iowa. From there the Imlay-Larson family was formed with the addition of Terry, Marvin, Julie, David, Randy and Rod. The International Traveall hauled the adventure seeking family of 12 on many a camping and fishing trips. Martin and Phyllis also enjoyed their hunting adventures (turkey and deer) which he did right up to the age of 85. Martin was able to cross off visiting all 50 states from his bucket list. Civic and community involvement were an important part of Martin’s life.

He served on the Judson School Board – Crystal Coop Board – Chairman of the Board at Frost-Benco – CTV Board - Chairman of the Board at Jerusalem Cemetery and an active member of the Cambria Presbyterian Church. Martin loved the land and loved to farm which he did until age 75 when he retired, but continued to help his farming neighbors. He won the 1966 State Championship Tractor Pull with his 806 IH tractor and Martin and Phyllis were named as the Outstanding Farm Family in 1985.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Catherine; sons, Bill Imlay, James Imlay, Marvin Larson, and great-grandson, Blake Duffey; sister, Marian (Dave) Teigum; brother-in-law, Dick Bergquist

Martin is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children, Steve (Tina) Imlay; Terry (Bev) Larson; Julie (John) Hawker; David (Pam) Larson, Mark Imlay, Randy (Gloria) Larson; Rod (Tiffany) Larson; daughter-in-law, Patti Imlay; sister, Norma Bergquist; 23 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.