Martin L. ’Marty’ Soeth

Martin L. "Marty" Soeth, 67, Moorhead, MN, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, June 22, 2005. Martin L. Soeth was born on January 7, 1938, in Minneapolis, MN, to Archie and Zillah Cordes Soeth. He grew up and attended school in Moorhead, MN, graduating from the Campus School at Moorhead State Teacher's College in 1956. He attended Moorhead State Teacher's College and Wahpeton State School of Science. Marty went to work for Wright Awning Company, where he worked from 1955 until 1985. He joined the Moorhead Fire Department in 1962, retiring as Chief in 2004. He also taught for many years at Moorhead Technical College as an EMT Instructor and was Coordinator of Fire Training. Marty married Sylvia "Doonie" Empting on April 6, 1963 in Dilworth, MN. They shared time between their home in Moorhead and their home on Big Pine Lake at Perham. Marty is survived by his wife, Sylvia, Moorhead; one son, Lee Melanie, Moorhead; three daughters, Lynn Michael Day, Lizabeth Michael Letness, and Lara Soeth; six grandchildren, Alyssa and Zack Day; Max Soeth; Benjamin, Ryan, and Brett Letness; all of Moorhead; brother Jack Janet Soeth, Burlington, WI; sisters, Chell Anderson, Iron River, MI, and Stephanie Roger Hendrickson, Walcott, ND; brother-in-law Jack Sandy Green Empting, New York Mills; Aunt Grace Soeth, Esterville, IA; his Moorhead Fire Department Family and many nieces, nephews, and friends.Marty was active in the MN State Fire Chief's Assoc., Int'l. Assoc. of Fire Chiefs and Int'l Assoc. of Fire Fighters, MN Professional Fire Fighters, Fire Instructors Assoc. of MN, Clay County Fire Chiefs and Clay County Safety Council, Northwest Regional Fire Fighters Assoc., National Registry of EMT's, Moorhead Athletic Assoc., American Red Cross, and United Way. He served as adjunct faculty for the Nat'l Fire Academy, affiliate faculty for the American Heart Assoc., and on the MN Governors Regional Review Committee. He was instrumental in organizing the Regional HazMat Team and Valley Water Rescue. Marty was a member of El Zagal Arab Patrol, Scottish Rite Masons, Dilworth Lutheran Church, and Degree of Honor.A memorial scholarship will be established by the family for firefighter training at the MN State Community and Technical College – Moorhead. Memorials will also support MN Fallen Firefighters memorial Assoc. A fund has been set up at Moorhead Federal Credit Union, 1002 Main Avenue, Moorhead, MN, 56560.