Martin J. Brekke

Martin J. Brekke, 93, of Livingston died July 11, 2015 at Diamond K Lodge. The transition fulfilled his often expressed conviction, "Victory is not winning a battle. Victory is going home." Graveside committal service and burial will be held July 22, 2015, 11:00 A.M. at Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston. Rev. Steve Leuzinger of American Lutheran Church will officiate. Family and friends are asked gather at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home, 118 N. 3rd St., prior to the 11:00 A.M. service to proceed to the cemetery. Fellowship will follow the service at American Lutheran Church, 129 South F Street; Livingston. Martin was born January 8, 1922 near Lennep, Montana, the son of Morten J. and Gina Marie (Stene) Brekke. He attended rural elementary schools in Meagher County, and graduated from Ringling High School in 1939. Martin met Tressa Eckert, a school teacher at Lennep. They were married in 1942. The couple established their home in Livingston and raised a family which consisted, by the late 1940s, of twin "war babies" and a "baby boomer." Martin and Tressa celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary prior to her death in 2010. Martin was a veteran of World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army 31st Infantry, Dixie Division, a unit that participated in the Liberation of the Philippines. He began a career in automotive parts sales as manager of Lovelace Motor Supply in Livingston, a business which later became Montana Motor Supply. For three years, he served as general manager of the parts store chain headquartered in Bozeman before establishing his own business of auto parts distribution. Martin returned to Livingston to become sales manager for Olson Motor, Co. a General Motors dealership. Martin and Tressa aspired to rural living and purchased a small ranch on Mission Creek. They established a herd of registered Hereford cattle and indulged their passions for trout fishing and raising strange-looking chickens, bob white quail, and several noisy peacocks. Martin and Tressa sold their ranch and retired to Livingston in 2005. Since 1948, Martin was an active member of American Lutheran Church. Throughout his life, he tempered his successes with equal portions of contributions to his community through local service organizations and national associations, including the Park County Stockgrowers and American Hereford Association. Martin was preceded in death by his wife, Tressa, his parents, sisters, Nellie Liston, Alice Brekke, Edith Brekke and brothers, Lawry, Maynard, and Olaf. He is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Brekke, Livingston; sons, Martin "Marty" Brekke, Bozeman, and Jerry (Pat) Brekke, Livingston; a grandson, Todd (Jennifer) Brekke, Bozeman; a granddaughter, Sara (Chris) Harmon, Belgrade; and six great-grandchildren; Kyle Brekke and Caleb, Jack, Macayla, Ethan and Tyler Harmon; as well as several nieces and nephews. If so desired, memorials may be directed to American Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1259, Livingston, MT 59047. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be shared at franzen-davis.com