Alan G. Martalock, 85, of Ontario passed away peacefully April 25, 2020, at his farm home, with his loving wife of 59 years by his side. He was born Aug. 9, 1934, to Lude and Margaret (Ferries) Martalock at his grandmother Ferries’ home in Ontario.
He was confirmed at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in July 1947. Alan’s faith in his Lord and Savior made him the wonderful man he became. Alan attended Red Brick School and the Ontario High School, graduating with the class of 1952. The highlight of his high school years was his pitching ability in helping the Ontario High School baseball team come within one game of going to the state tournament. Both softball and baseball filled many Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. At one time, he joined six of his cousins to form a team for the Ontario Village.
Alan’s most notable interest was studying Holstein genetics and putting his knowledge to work. In his 61 years in the registered-Holstein industry, he was able to meet some of the goals he set. He bred numerous Excellent HFA scored cows, multiple three-generation Excellent cow families, a herd of under 50 homebred cows with one of the U.S. top BAA herds, Gold Medal Dams, Cows with 200,000 life time awards, Progressive Breeder awards, all before he began embryo transfer on the registered-Holstein herd in 1980.
The Martalocks began consigning on registered sales in 1974, first county Holstein club sales and on to district, state and national HFA sales. The Martalock farm was knows as Flintstone Acres. He was proud that many of their cattle and embryos were exported to France, Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia. He enjoyed making many wonderful friends while working with county and state Holstein Breeders Association and the National Holstein Association. He also worked on many committees within these groups.
In May 1961, he married his soulmate, Carolene Obert in Valley, Wis. Alan and Carolene spent their lives working side by side on the Martalock home farm. Alan took pride in their work and was an excellent caregiver to his cows and many dogs. He and Carolene made a perfect team on the farm, in the woods hunting, fishing and enjoying nature or on the road, searching for beautiful glassware.
Alan was lucky enough to fulfill his pipedream of building a beautiful cabin in the valley. Its production shows how years of dreaming and planning did make their dream come true. It served as a gathering place for their families and friends as well as an arc for the many treasures that he and Carolene collected through their life’s journey together.
While he and Carolene didn’t have any children on their own, they were lucky enough to open their farm home and heart to 26 young people, ag students, from many different countries such as Holland, Switzerland and Germany, to name a few. In years to come, the two of them were able to travel back to Europe to spend time with the students and their families.
His nephews and nieces were very special to Alan, and he loved having them at the farm whenever they could join him. Alan also loved the neighborhood girls and spent countless hours coming up with ways to tease them as they were growing up. He worked hard but made a point to enjoy life. Going north to Canada fishing with Carolene was always a trip he looked forward to.
Alan is survived by his wife Carolene; two sisters, JoAnne (Austin) DeLap of Lodi, Wis., and Kay (Dennis LaBell) Mayfield of Monona, Wis.; his brother-in-law, Kent (Alice) Obert of Genoa, Wis.; along with many loving nieces, nephews, and nine godchildren; a sister-in-law, Connie (John) Parker (David’s widow); dear friends, Dan and Shel Hyatt, Marilyn Stenerson, and Jenny Lucas; and numerous special neighbors and good friends.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Lude and Margaret; his in-laws, Duane and Arlene (Breidenstein) Obert; and his brother-in-law and friend, D. “David” Obert.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Church in rural Ontario. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com or mailed to 23532 County Hwy. P, Ontario, WI 54651.
