Martin Robert Jones

Martin Robert Jones age 86 of Mankato died Friday, March 31, 2023, at Laurels Edge in Mankato.

Martin was born August 16, 1936, to Robert and Olive (Martin) Jones in Mankato, Minnesota. During Martin’s senior year of high school in Lake Crystal his father died. He finished the harvest with help of neighbors and family. His mother then sold the farm and bought a house in Lake Crystal. Martin entered the Army and was stationed in Germany and studied mechanics. His three years there sparked his interest in all things mechanical and motorcycles.

Following his service, he worked for North Star Concrete. Over his working life he was employed mostly as a machinist and worked for Kato Engineering, Jones Sheet Metal, Andevco Plastics, MICO, 3M, Crysteel and in later years as a truckdriver for many different firms ending with Borneke Inc.

Martin never saw anything he didn’t think he could improve upon. Doing things “his way” was always important to him.

Martin was married to Margaret Marie Blume and later to Dorothy Woodwick.

He is survived by his daughter Kathleen (Scott) Bailey of Garden City; son, Kevin Jones; grandchildren, Steven Baker of La Crosse, WI, Trisha Ann (Travis) Nelson of Mankato; great grandchildren, Theodore Nelson and Tessa Nelson.  He also had four nephews and their families that he treasured.

Preceded in death by his parents, two step siblings, sister, Paddy Schafer and his two wives.

Martin requested no funeral service, to be cremated and to be returned to the farming earth from which he came. He greatly enjoyed his 85^th birthday celebration and wanted that to be the family's living memory of him.  Please direct condolences to Mankato Mortuary.