Martz, Wallace “Wally” Cordell

February 16, 1941 – February 3, 2019
at the age of 77 years

 A Celebration of Life for Wally Martz and Eric Butler will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019, 3:00 pm, Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course

Wally C Martz, 77, of Blind Bay, BC died Sunday, February 3, 2019 (Super Bowl Sunday) in the home he loved on the 11th green of Shuswap Lake Estates. In early January 2019 Wally was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.
Wally was born February 16, 1941 in Fargo, North Dakota.  He was adopted at age 2 by his parents Walter and Edline Martz. He grew up in Rolla, ND where he graduated from high school. He attended the University of North Dakota where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. In June, 1962 Wally was united in marriage to Sandra Anderson.  He served in the US Army (1964-67), including 1 year active duty as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.  Wally was awarded a Bronze Star, 2 Army Air Medals for valour with 13 additional Oak Leaf Clusters and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses for his heroism in battle. Captain Martz went on to pilot for the ND Air National Guard before retiring from duty in 1976.
After his return from Vietnam in 1967, Wally lived in Grand Forks, where he worked as a banker at Red River National Bank and continued coursework towards a Masters Degree at UND.  In 1972, Wally relocated to Mayville, ND where he continued to advance his banking career at the Goose River Bank.  Wally and Sandy raised their 5 children in Mayville, ND.
Wally was active in business and community enrichment, as well as a member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Upon his retirement, he relocated to British Columbia where he married the love of his life Patricia Miller in July of 2004. Wally and Pat enjoyed travelling the world with friends, spending their winters in Puerta Vallarta and living the life he loved on the golf course in Blind Bay.
Wally is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Martz; mother-in-law, Mary Miller; his children, Kristin (Bret) Vie, Kathlyn (Mike) Rexine, Eric (Miranda) Martz, Aron (Jerri) Martz, Kadra Martz; sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Edline; father-in-law Bill Miller; his brother Jerald Martz and sister-in-law Ann Miller.
The family would like to thank everyone who contributed to ensuring that Wally’s cancer journey was as painless as possible. Our journey started in PV, Mexico, then Vancouver and finally home to Blind Bay. Along the way there were so many people who helped and guided us through the maze – far too many to identify individually. You all have our undying gratitude.
Please celebrate Wally’s life through acts of kindness and the little things in life that make you smile. Oh and maybe a rum and coke (7-Up) to toast a life well lived.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

18 Comments

  1. RIP – your Army friend from ORWAC 66-2

  2. I have wondered many times what happened to this cousin since he no longer lived in Valley City. Sorry to hear this news. RIP Wally.
    June (Martz Miller) Farbo

  3. So very sad to hear of Wally passing. Loved spending time with him when we would visit Uncle Walter and Edline in Rolla. To this day, I know that I saw him in Honolulu many years ago and did not walk over to see for sure. It had been so many years since I had seen him…will always wonder. Condolences to the family and RIP Wally.

  4. So sorry to hear of Wally’s adding. My prayers and condolences to his family

  5. Our sincere condolences to Pat on hearing of the passing of Wally Martz. Our thoughts are with you.

    Barry Brettell and Diahann Hamilton

  6. So sorry for his passing and your loss Pat.

  7. Our family was very close to the Martz family in Rolla, ND. My brother Roger and I would go to the farm and help with the milking and other farm chores.
    Always kept in touch through the years. So many loving and fun memories of Wally. Sorry for his loss.

  8. Pat

    I am so sorry to hear of Wally’s passing

    I am sending condolences to you and your family with love

  9. I know you are surrounded by much love. We are thinking of you and wishing comfort as you remember your loving husband. We are remembering all the great times we shared with you and Wally. With much love Jim and Jan

  10. Wally was a great friend and business partner. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. I will always remember him as abreast person who made every one who touched him a better person.

  11. Wally was a kind and gentle soul who loved you Pat and was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always saw the Best in people. Our hearts break with you all!! Love always, Lars and Jan

  12. Pat and Family,
    We are so sorry to hear of Wally’s passing. Words seem so inadequate at a time like this. You will be in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.

    Tenderly
    May time heal your sorrow

    Gently
    May friends ease your pain

    Softly
    May peace replace heartaches
    And may warmest memories remain

    Sincerely,
    Maureen and John

  13. To Pat and to Wally’s family. I know how sad you must all be as am I. As you all know, Wally and I were friends since 1972 and were business partners at the Goose River Bank for over 25 of those years. I can honestly say that during all the years as partners we never had a serious disagreement or issue that we could not work out in a very amicable way. Wally was always a gentleman and a great friend. Barbara and I send you our deepest sympathy. We will certainly raise a toast to a special man.

  14. Dear Pat and Family, this saddens my heart so much! Please accept our deepest condolences. Wally was a very nice and kind person. He came to me for pedicures and manicures during the Spring and Summer months in Blind Bay. I enjoyed our visits. I was always the chatty one and he listened! And when he spoke it was always about his family and a big family at that too! The way he described his Winter getaway in Puerto Vallarta was amazing. May God ease the pain in your heart Pat. My prayers are with you.

    With Love & Sympathy,
    Mark & Christina Betts

  15. Pat and family, It saddens us to hear of Wally’s passing. We will miss running into him in Puerto Vallarta. Please accept our deepest confidences. I will definitely have a Rum and coke in memory of this wonderful man! RIP Wally.

  16. I golfed many times with Wally. He was always a gentleman and I enjoyed every round even when neither of us played. I will miss him greatley. RIP Wally.

  17. Wally was a great golfing buddy of mine…he did the golfing for the team, but we both did the drinking! I am very sorry for the family’s loss. He did live life!

  18. Good friend, great times. Our condolences to the family.

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