Philip O. "Phil" Martin, age 87 of Anoka, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Homestead of Anoka.

Phil was born on the farm in Chaffee, ND on January 12, 1932 to William and Ada Martin.  He grew up on the farm with his six brothers and two sisters.  Phil attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse and graduated from Chaffee High School.  After high school he married the love of his life, Darlene, on October 21, 1951.   He enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Korea and Japan.  Phil was very proud to serve and loved his country and the flag.

After his service, he moved to Grand Forks, ND to attend college at UND and graduated with a degree in Business Administration.  After college, he worked in Velva, ND at an electrical cooperative and then took a position with Rural Cooperative Power Association in Elk River, MN in 1960.  It was here that he established his 35-year career in the electrical cooperative industry.

After a merger, Phil became the youngest General Manager of a rural cooperative association with United Power Association.   He was instrumental and facilitated many changes within the electrical industry, helping it to reach more people, be more efficient, and environmentally friendly.  He was part of all phases of electrical advancements during his career; coal, nuclear and refuse derived fuel (aka garbage burning).  Phil served on more electrical boards and committees to mention.  He won numerous awards including a Tesla award.  He also served on President Carter's Energy Committee.

Phil and Darlene raised 5 children and welcomed three sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren into their family.  His family meant the world to Phil and he loved attending activities and having everyone around, especially at holidays and at the cabin.  He was proud of all our accomplishments; the joy and love on his face told us everything.

Phil and Darlene loved to travel and went many places, just the two of them.  Once retired, they purchased a home in Arizona where they spent winters with many friends from the electrical cooperative associations, golfing, dinner parties, sight-seeing and enjoying each-others' company.  Phil's pride and joy was the cabin in Brainerd.  They spent their summers at the lake home and enjoyed pontoon rides and entertaining friends and family.  The two together were the definition of host and hostess.

As Phil has said, none of this would have been possible without the love of his life, his adored wife, Darlene.  Together they could do anything.  Their life together was a true love story.

In addition to his parents, Ada and William Martin, Phil was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Darlene; and 4 brothers.  He is survived by his son, James (Lynn) Martin; daughters, Sandra (Ken) Benson, Susan (Curtis) West, Shelly Martin, and Lisa (Todd) Grina; grandchildren, Amy (Carter) Gerlach, Alicia (Chae) Chandler, Kathryn Benson, Chelsea and Chase West, Tanner  (McKensie) Grina, and Nissa Grina; five great-grandchildren; siblings, Virginia Johnson, Rose (Pat) Markovic, and Roger Martin; also many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 , 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 S. Fourth Avenue, Anoka.  Visitation one hour prior to the service at church (2:00 - 3:00 p.m.)  Private Interment with Full Military Honors will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church or the University of North Dakota.

Arrangements entrusted to Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home of Anoka (763) 421-0220