Warren J. "Walt" Martell, 81 of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, February 26, 2024 at Riverview Health in Crookston, MN.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 2, 2024 with Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Bob Schreiner presiding. Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery in Terrebonne, MN. Military honors provided by American Legion Post 623 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Warren Joseph Martell was born September 16, 1942 in Gervais Township, Red Lake County, MN the 2nd of 14 children born to Francis "Fritz" Alex and Crystal Mae (Malwitz) Martell. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Terrebonne, MN. He attended country school and then school in Plummer, MN graduating with the class of 1960.

Following high school, Warren entered into service with the United States Army at Ft. Lewis, WA. He was stationed in Germany. Following his Honorable Discharge, with the help of the GI Bill, Warren attended Farrier School.

In June of 1965, Warren was united in marriage to Kaye Johnson and to this union two daughters were born, Gail and Dana. They lived for a short time near Red Lake Falls. Following their divorce, Warren moved to the Twin Cities. In addition to his farrier work, he became a heavy equipment operator. He worked for several construction companies over the years including Distribution Construction and Northern Pipeline.

Warren later married Jean Robin, and to this union a daughter, Trisha was born.

Warren was a cowboy through and through, he always wore a black Stetson cowboy hat and loved his horses. He made his home in Shakopee, MN for many years, near Canterbury Downs. He worked there doing various jobs including grooming the track and transporting horses. He earned the trust of those in the racing community which led Warren to competition events across the United States. On one of his excursions, he had the privilege of meeting Secretariat, one of the greatest thoroughbred racehorses in history.

Warren was a long-time member of the American Quarter Horse Association, American Legion Post 623 in Plummer, MN, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Operating Engineers Local 49.

Survivors include daughters, Gail (Jamie) Moen, Dana (Tom) Anderson and Trisha (Rob) Weiler; grandchildren, Joshua, Taylor and Tia; siblings, Jay (Deb) Martell, Gary (Sharon) Martell, Joyce (LeRoy) Christensen, Darrell (Barb) Martell, Janet (Dan) Vigstol, Bob (Deb) Martell, Ray Martell, Doug (Marit) Martell, Theresa (Jay) Avelsgaard, Tom Martell, Donna Besserud; sister-in-law, Peggy (Bob) Orrock; aunts, Lila Brekke and Colleen Malwitz; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Crystal; sister, Mary Jo Hendrickson; and brother, Louis.