08. Martin Lawrence Cowan b, Oct. 27, 1904
Martin Lawrence Cowan Oct. 27, 1904 - Oct. 25, 1961.
Martin was born at the maternity hospital at Enderlin, North Dakota and was the eighth child of Jim and Inga Cowan who, I believe, lived at Valley City at the time. Valley Citys about 30 miles to the northwest of Enderlin. The family may have moved to Valley City from Anselm at about the time of Marty's birth in 1904. Inga was 39 years of age at the time she gave birth to Martin. In 1907 Jim and Inga were receiving their mail at Valley City and the twins were born there. In 1909 the family moved to down to Enderlin and received their mail there.
An oval studio photograph taken of Martin show him at about age three along with his sister Jane and his brother Willie. Martin is wearing a white children's suit with short pants and long dark socks and his hair is combed neatly to the side. This photograph was taken in 1907 or 1908 and may have been taken just before going to stay with aunt Anna and uncle Peter.
From about four years of age, Marty was raised by his mother's sister Anne Bidne and her husband Peter at Highlandville, Iowa. This story may not be accurate but how I see it happened is this:
Martin's mother, Inga would frequently, and as often she could, take the train to Highlandville in Iowato visit her family. She would take the children along and, according to the Sheldon Enterprise (See story of Jim and Inga), would often stay for several months, particularly during winter trips. On one occasion in 1908, however, her sister Anna made a trip up to Valley City to visit Inga and her family and she stayed for four months from September to December. Now Anna and Peter had no children and her sister Inga had ten children by then and her twin sister Hattie over at Mercer had several children, too. Inga's children were the twins: Walter and Wallace who would be one year old that September; Martin who was 4; Harriet who was 6; Margaret who was 8 years old; and the older children; Mae, Willie, Bud. Lloyd, and Tip. I expect that during her stay at Valley City, Anna convinced Inga to allow one of the children to make the trip back to Highlandville with her. Little Martin, at four years of age, was the youngest child no longer in diapers and he was chosen. This trip is recorded on a picture postcard that Anna left with Inga as a memento when she left to return to Highlandville. It was a photograph of her and Peter's home in Highlandville and Anna wrote on the back of the card, "Paid a visit to Dakota from Sept to Dec 1908, Highlandville, Iowafrom your sister Anna."
I have an impression that life was hard for Inga at Valley City and the place was more like a frontier to her and that the family at Highlandville and Decorah was home and civilization. The Bidne's, on the other hand, owned and operated the Creamery at Highlandville, which was just down the road across the creek from their house, and so they were doing very well. Peter was a successful butter maker. Letting Martin go with her sister Anna was like sending a part of herself with her family. And so from that time on, Marty was raised by Peter and Anna Bidne as their own child. Of course, it was not uncommon for families in those days to leave children with other family members to share in the raising of their children.
The next summer, in 1909, there were some troubles going on at Enderlin and I don't know what they were, but it may have had something to do with their decision. Inga wrote a very curious note on a post card to her husband. It was a leather post card addressed to W. J. Cowan, Enderlin, N. D. with the note, "June July 1909 the months ofTrouble, Inger." The face of the card is stamped with a picture depicting EnderlinHigh School. Martin was now five years old and had been living with Aunt Anna and Uncle Perer for six months. This is a very pointed comment that there were troubles that summer - Was it the family? the crops? enough money? Something was going on.
Marty grew up at Highlandville and Inga had a number of photographs of Martin from Highlandville during those years. At age 15, Martin was confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran Church.
Peter and Anna's niece Margaret Akre (b. Dec. 4, 1914) remembers what it was like at Highlandville and at the Bidne's at Christmas time:
"I am sure many happy times can be recalled by anyone who visited
Highlandville. It was a great place to live. There was always
fishing. In the spring we picked wild flowers. Gooseberry bushes
were found "in the pasture." At Christmas time we gathered at the
Bidne house to go to the evening Christmas tree program at the church.
Gilbert Gjere, a farmer who lived one mile to the north, came with his
sleigh pulled by horses. We all piled in and covered ourselves with
blankets and went to our annual Christmas Tree Program. After all
of the children had performed with their "speeches" and songs, we
paraded around the alter and were given a bag of candy and fruit.
Then home again. The horses were kept in the shed and covered
with blankets. This was a yearly ritual."
In the years 1921 -1922, from age 17, Martin attended Luther College in Decorah along with his cousins Roland Akre (son of Anna's brother, Rev. Ole Akre) and Leslie Ovre (son of Anna's twin sister Hattie). Leslie's sister, Ruth relates how Les later told about the fun they had together (Pat Mohrbacher says her uncle Les was mischievous). Marty stayed at college for two years, got good grades and played a lot of baseball. After college, Marty taught at a one-room school at Highlandville for a few years and played baseball.
Now Francis, Martin's future wife, tells a story that one day after a ball game when Martin was in his early 20's, he didn't go home to Peter and Anna's but took off to Minneapolis - - He didn't tell anyone and he didn't even pack his belongings. Francis tells that it was she that later got Martin back together and in talking terms with Peter and Anna. So at age 25, and seven years out of college, Marty married Frances Zahradka of Minneapolis on September 10, 1929 at Minneapolis. Frances was born Francheska Mary Magdalen Zahradka on October 21, 1904 at her mother’s sister’s home next to the old Catholic church in Excelsior, Minnesota. Francis' mother, Mary Koschinska, was born January 15, 1882 at Vienna,Bohemia (now Austria) and was nine months old when the family came to America and settled at Chaska, Minnesota. Her father, Anthony Alouicious Zahradka was born on June 9, 1878 at St. Anthony (now Minneapolis). Francis has a brother Earl Zahradka who was born in 1913 and who lives in St. Louis Park. She also had a brother Carl Zahradka who was born in 1902 and who died at three years of age in 1905. Her mother Mary died in 1946 and her father Anthony died in 1963 and they are buried at Crystal Lakecemetery in north Minneapolis. Francis' mother had a sister named Ida M. LeClair b. 1887 d. 1939 who is also buried there.
Marty and Francis have lived in Minneapolis all their lives and, as the children grew up, made many trips to visit Gramma and Grampa Bidne and the folks at Highlandville. I remember Marty owned a 1947 Chevrolet coupe. Many stories. Marty worked as Manager of Russell L. (Buzz) Arlett's Bar and Pool Hall off Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue for several years and Francis worked as a telephone operator at the St. Andrews Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.
Marty and his brother Walter were very close over the years and, in fact, they lived across the street from one another on Third Street during the years that the children were growing up. Marty and Walter played a lot of pool together and were quite good. Marty and Francis and Walter and Esther enjoyed many a night playing cards at each other's homes. Often times Harriet and Pearland Chet and uncle Stan would join in as well. Again, there are many stories.
Children of Martin Date of Birth
Beverly Jean Oct. 18, 1930
Mary Lou Oct. 6, 1934
Jerome Martin Mar. 4, 1937
Martin Carl (Rusty) Sep. 5, 1944
In the summer of 1961, when Marty was 56, Walter and Esther asked Marty if he and Francis would go with them to California to visit their brother Lloyd but Marty said he didn't want to go and Francis felt badly about that. Instead Marty and Francis rented a cabin for a week on a small lake up past Milacs and Walter and Esther stayed with them there for a few days before they left for California. When Walter and Esther got back, Marty had been admitted to St. Barnabas Hospital and was being treated for cancer of the throat and esophagus. He was operated on to remove the cancer but it wasn't successful and he also developed a staphylococcal infection. Marty condition was critical and Francis, along with Marty's brothers and sisters who were in town, stayed with him in his room around the clock on assigned shifts. Walter, I am told, talked to his brother about salvation and Marty made his confession a couple of weeks before he died. Marty died on October 25, 1961 two days before his birthday with Walter, his brother and Esther, his sister-in-law at his side. Francis asked Walter to help with arrangements and services were held a couple of days later on Saturday, October 28 at Knable Funeral Chapel and Pastor Roger Carlson of Hope Lutheran Church officiated. Marty was buried in lot 219, section 10, space 7 at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis where his mom and dad are buried. May Marty rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
Peter and Anna Bidne owned land in the foothills of Montana and as part of their estate when they died the land was willed 75% to Marty and the rest to Marty's brothers and sisters. Marty didn't see any benefit from the estate and the land was in probate for many years during which time most of Marty's brothers and sisters also died leaving scores of secondary heirs. Marty's children sold the right to their portion of the will to the person who was renting the land. In the 1980's, because so many years had passed, the state turned over the land to the renter and the will was declared void.
Marty and Francis lived in Minneapolis all their lives have four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The children are Beverly, Mary Lou, Jerome (Jerry) and Martin Jr. (Rusty). There are many stories.
1H-1 Beverly Jean Cowan
b. October 18, 1930. Graduated from Patrick HenryHigh School in north Minneapolis. Beverly married
John Searles and they had three children and later divorced. John was a baseball player. Beverly is
married to Jim Miller. Jim deals in antique furniture. Bev has three children and several grandchildren.
Address is: 8829 Springview Alcove, Woodbury, MN 55125 (612) 714-1906
1H-1a John Martin Searles
b. Nov. 16, 1951. Married to Reggie Webber and they have two children Jacob and Tiffany.
John later married Sandy Bennington. John married to Kathy Fick on April 10, 1993 at Plymouth, MN.
Kathy was born April 15, 1954 and is from Wacouta, MN. Kathy has a child John by a previous marriage.
John has been driving a beer and pop truck since 1983 for Mark 7 Distributors.
Address is: 6337 Quail Av N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 (612)533-3665
1H-1a-1 Jacob John Searles, b. April 23, 1977
1H-1a-2 Tiffany Ann Searles, b. Mar. 10, 1979
1H-1a-3 John Allan Holst, b. May 25, 1981. Stepson, child of Kathy.
1H-1b Mary Denise Cowan
b. April 27, 1953. Married to Michael Wright and has one child. Later married Daniel Bullard. Dan and
Mary run a primitive dude ranch in the foothills North Fork, Idaho and do wild river rafting. Their
ranch is on the Salmon River about 100 miles south of Missoula, Montana. They have no electricity except
for a generator they use to run power tools. In years past persons such as Walt Disney and Walter Cronkite
have vacationed there.
Their address is HC64 Box 105A, North Fork, Idaho 83466. Three children.
1H-1b-1 Bo Michael Wright, b. Mar. 22, 1977.
1H-1b-2 Sarah Katheryn Bullard, b. Nov. 14, 1983
1H-1b-3 Samuel Allan Bullard, b. Dec. 11, 1985
1H-1c Michael Jerome Searles
b. Nov. 23, 1954. Married to Debby Burnes and had two children and is now married to Katie Barrett.
Michael works at a Wholesale florist.
Address is: 6836 Thomas Av South, Mpls 55423 612.866.2449
1H-1c-1 Matthew Michael Searles, b. Sept 24, 1977
1H-1c-2 Eric Anthony Searles, b. Feb. 2, 1980
1H-2 Mary Lou Cowan
Mary Lou was born October 5th, 1934. She Graduated from Patrick Henry High School in north Minneapolis.
Mary Lou married Lawrence Richard (Larry) Cronin b. Dec. 8, 1929, on June 5, 1954. Larry and Mary Lou
have eight children. In 1954 when they married their address was: 1954 St Clements, NE Mpls
Address is: 11848 Kumquat Coon Rapids 55448 (612) 755-1878.
1H-2a James (Jim) Martin Cronin
b. April 23, 1955. Married to Ingred Weber. Three children. Live in West Concord, Minnesota. Jim works
at a grocery store in Waseca, MN
Address is: Rt 1 186 C West, Concord, MN 55985
1H-2a-1 Pamela ____ Cronin, b. July 30, 1981
1H-2a-2 Nicole ____ Cronin, b. Aug 19, 1985
1H-2a-3 Jeffrey ____ Cronin, b. June 20, 1984
1H-2b Gregory (Greg) Thomas Cronin
b. August 27, 1956. Greg is married to Tina Wiborg. Married Jan 15, 1994.
Address is: 10035 Russell Av N, #4 Brooklyn Park MN 55444 612.493.5421
1H-2b-1 Heather May Cronin b. May 15, 1977
1H-2b-2 Jennifer May Cronin b. Jan. 3, 1985
1H-2c Davey Lawrence Cronin
born September 17, 1957. Died at age 20 on March 25, 1978, Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Davey died accidentally of carbon monoxide poisoning when he fell asleep while warming up his car.
1H-2d Katherine Mary (Kathy) Cronin Bearse
b. January 19, 1959. Kathy married Barry Bearse but they are now divorced. Also Kathy was previously
married to Dan Cadis. Kathy has three children. Kathy works in a physician's clinic as medical assistant
and does the book work for her former husband's blacktopping business.
Kathy's address is: 721 Rt 32, Uncasville, CT 06382 203.848.9862.
1H-2d-1 Daniel ______ Bearse, b. June 30, 1979
1H-2d-2 Toni Kathleen Bearse, b. Dec. 23, 1981
1H-2d-3 Tiffany Mae Bearse, b July 25, 1985
1H-2e Margaret Ann (Peggy) Cronin Schlichte
b. Jan 20, 1960. Married to Glen Schlichte. Glen is a carpenter and Peggy is an electrician.
Address is: 9496 72nd St S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016. (612) 459-5932
1H-2e-1 Chad Allen Schlichte, b. Aug. 4, 1991
1H-2f Patricia Marie (Patty) Cronin Johnson
b. Feb. 21, 1962. Patty married Tim Johnson and has two children; Brian and Amy. Patty is now divorced
and works as a nurse at the Minneapolis Children's Hospital.
Address is: 8755 168th Av NW, Ramsey MN 55303. (612) 441-0510
1H-2f-1 Brian Johnson, b. March 23, 1987
1H-2f-2 Amy Johnson, b. June 6, 1988
1H-2g Susan Francis Cronin Carlson
b. Jan. 9, 1963. Susan married Patrick Carlson. Susan is a nurse at the Coon Rapids Clinic and Pat is a
Policeman in Coon Rapids. Address is: 121 43 Lily, Coon Rapids55433. 612.422.1029
1H-2g-1 Patrick David Carlson, b. Oct. 9, 1987
1H-2g-2 Derek Martin Carlson, b. July 25, 1990
1K-2h Michael John Cronin
b. Sept. 27, 1966. Married Tracy Cline. Michael works at Stillwater prison as corrections officer.
Address is: 11082 thrush St. NW, Coon Rapids 55433. .612. 754.1807
1H-2h-1 Tawny _____ Cronin, b June 23, 1989
1H-3 Jerome Martin Cowan (Jerry)
Jerry was born March 6, 1937. Son of Marty and Frances Cowan. Graduated from EdisonHigh School in northeast Minneapolis. Married on March 3, 1962 to Margaret Ann Buechele (Marge) b. Nov 13, 1938.
Address is: 2909 Silver Lake Ct,. St Anthony, MN 55421. 612. 788.5678
1H-3a Paul Martin Cowan
b. Dec. 28, 1962. Married to Diane Stone, b. Sept. 13, 1965 Three children.
1H-3a-1 Kelsey Lee Ann Cowan, b. Sept. 10, 1986
1H-3a-2 Brianna Therese Cowan, b. July 21, 1988
1H-3a-3 Hayley _____ Cowan, b. March 11, 1992
1H-3b Cheryl Ann Cowan
b. Jan 21, 1965
1H-3c Michael Jerome Cowan
b. Jan. 1, 1968
1H-3d Christopher (Chris) Cowan
b. June 29, 1970
1H-4 Martin Carl Cowan (Rusty)
b. Sept. 5, 1944. Son of Marty and Frances Cowan. Graduated from EdisonHigh School in northeast
Minneapolis. Rusty married Gayle Christiansen and they have two children, Denise and Danny. Rusty
then married Bobbie Hazen and they have one child, Patrick. Rusty works as a jobs coordinator for
Masterson Personnel, a job service company.
1H-4a Denise Anne Cowan
b. Sept. 26, 1968. Married to John Videvol on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1992 at the Sheraton Ritz
Hotel in Minneapolis. They were one of 92 couples married that day sponsored by KQRS FM radio
station. John is a marketing analyst for aymark Co. and Denise has worked for Equifax verifying
medical histories. Denise and John live at 13766 Swallow Street NW. Andover, MN 55304.
1H-4a-1 Joshua John Videvol b. January 17, 1996 bap. _____.
1H-4b Daniel Carl Cowan
b. Jan 31, 1970. Danny works for Lund Industries. Danny and Barbara Shawn Hofschild were married
2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 1996 at The Church of the Epiphany, Coon Rapids, MN. Barb's parents
are Mr. and Mrs. Howard H. Hofshild.
Address is 13790 Swallow Street NW. Andover, MN 55304
1H-4b-1 Brandon Cowan b. April 1, 1992.
1H-4c _____________
1H-4d Patrick Michael Cowan
b. April 3, 1981. At the time of this writing in 1996, Patrick is 14 years old and lives in Portland, Oregon with his mother Bobbie.
Martin was born at the maternity hospital at Enderlin, North Dakota and was the eighth child of Jim and Inga Cowan who, I believe, lived at Valley City at the time. Valley Citys about 30 miles to the northwest of Enderlin. The family may have moved to Valley City from Anselm at about the time of Marty's birth in 1904. Inga was 39 years of age at the time she gave birth to Martin. In 1907 Jim and Inga were receiving their mail at Valley City and the twins were born there. In 1909 the family moved to down to Enderlin and received their mail there.
An oval studio photograph taken of Martin show him at about age three along with his sister Jane and his brother Willie. Martin is wearing a white children's suit with short pants and long dark socks and his hair is combed neatly to the side. This photograph was taken in 1907 or 1908 and may have been taken just before going to stay with aunt Anna and uncle Peter.
From about four years of age, Marty was raised by his mother's sister Anne Bidne and her husband Peter at Highlandville, Iowa. This story may not be accurate but how I see it happened is this:
Martin's mother, Inga would frequently, and as often she could, take the train to Highlandville in Iowato visit her family. She would take the children along and, according to the Sheldon Enterprise (See story of Jim and Inga), would often stay for several months, particularly during winter trips. On one occasion in 1908, however, her sister Anna made a trip up to Valley City to visit Inga and her family and she stayed for four months from September to December. Now Anna and Peter had no children and her sister Inga had ten children by then and her twin sister Hattie over at Mercer had several children, too. Inga's children were the twins: Walter and Wallace who would be one year old that September; Martin who was 4; Harriet who was 6; Margaret who was 8 years old; and the older children; Mae, Willie, Bud. Lloyd, and Tip. I expect that during her stay at Valley City, Anna convinced Inga to allow one of the children to make the trip back to Highlandville with her. Little Martin, at four years of age, was the youngest child no longer in diapers and he was chosen. This trip is recorded on a picture postcard that Anna left with Inga as a memento when she left to return to Highlandville. It was a photograph of her and Peter's home in Highlandville and Anna wrote on the back of the card, "Paid a visit to Dakota from Sept to Dec 1908, Highlandville, Iowafrom your sister Anna."
I have an impression that life was hard for Inga at Valley City and the place was more like a frontier to her and that the family at Highlandville and Decorah was home and civilization. The Bidne's, on the other hand, owned and operated the Creamery at Highlandville, which was just down the road across the creek from their house, and so they were doing very well. Peter was a successful butter maker. Letting Martin go with her sister Anna was like sending a part of herself with her family. And so from that time on, Marty was raised by Peter and Anna Bidne as their own child. Of course, it was not uncommon for families in those days to leave children with other family members to share in the raising of their children.
The next summer, in 1909, there were some troubles going on at Enderlin and I don't know what they were, but it may have had something to do with their decision. Inga wrote a very curious note on a post card to her husband. It was a leather post card addressed to W. J. Cowan, Enderlin, N. D. with the note, "June July 1909 the months ofTrouble, Inger." The face of the card is stamped with a picture depicting EnderlinHigh School. Martin was now five years old and had been living with Aunt Anna and Uncle Perer for six months. This is a very pointed comment that there were troubles that summer - Was it the family? the crops? enough money? Something was going on.
Marty grew up at Highlandville and Inga had a number of photographs of Martin from Highlandville during those years. At age 15, Martin was confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran Church.
Peter and Anna's niece Margaret Akre (b. Dec. 4, 1914) remembers what it was like at Highlandville and at the Bidne's at Christmas time:
"I am sure many happy times can be recalled by anyone who visited
Highlandville. It was a great place to live. There was always
fishing. In the spring we picked wild flowers. Gooseberry bushes
were found "in the pasture." At Christmas time we gathered at the
Bidne house to go to the evening Christmas tree program at the church.
Gilbert Gjere, a farmer who lived one mile to the north, came with his
sleigh pulled by horses. We all piled in and covered ourselves with
blankets and went to our annual Christmas Tree Program. After all
of the children had performed with their "speeches" and songs, we
paraded around the alter and were given a bag of candy and fruit.
Then home again. The horses were kept in the shed and covered
with blankets. This was a yearly ritual."
In the years 1921 -1922, from age 17, Martin attended Luther College in Decorah along with his cousins Roland Akre (son of Anna's brother, Rev. Ole Akre) and Leslie Ovre (son of Anna's twin sister Hattie). Leslie's sister, Ruth relates how Les later told about the fun they had together (Pat Mohrbacher says her uncle Les was mischievous). Marty stayed at college for two years, got good grades and played a lot of baseball. After college, Marty taught at a one-room school at Highlandville for a few years and played baseball.
Now Francis, Martin's future wife, tells a story that one day after a ball game when Martin was in his early 20's, he didn't go home to Peter and Anna's but took off to Minneapolis - - He didn't tell anyone and he didn't even pack his belongings. Francis tells that it was she that later got Martin back together and in talking terms with Peter and Anna. So at age 25, and seven years out of college, Marty married Frances Zahradka of Minneapolis on September 10, 1929 at Minneapolis. Frances was born Francheska Mary Magdalen Zahradka on October 21, 1904 at her mother’s sister’s home next to the old Catholic church in Excelsior, Minnesota. Francis' mother, Mary Koschinska, was born January 15, 1882 at Vienna,Bohemia (now Austria) and was nine months old when the family came to America and settled at Chaska, Minnesota. Her father, Anthony Alouicious Zahradka was born on June 9, 1878 at St. Anthony (now Minneapolis). Francis has a brother Earl Zahradka who was born in 1913 and who lives in St. Louis Park. She also had a brother Carl Zahradka who was born in 1902 and who died at three years of age in 1905. Her mother Mary died in 1946 and her father Anthony died in 1963 and they are buried at Crystal Lakecemetery in north Minneapolis. Francis' mother had a sister named Ida M. LeClair b. 1887 d. 1939 who is also buried there.
Marty and Francis have lived in Minneapolis all their lives and, as the children grew up, made many trips to visit Gramma and Grampa Bidne and the folks at Highlandville. I remember Marty owned a 1947 Chevrolet coupe. Many stories. Marty worked as Manager of Russell L. (Buzz) Arlett's Bar and Pool Hall off Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue for several years and Francis worked as a telephone operator at the St. Andrews Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.
Marty and his brother Walter were very close over the years and, in fact, they lived across the street from one another on Third Street during the years that the children were growing up. Marty and Walter played a lot of pool together and were quite good. Marty and Francis and Walter and Esther enjoyed many a night playing cards at each other's homes. Often times Harriet and Pearland Chet and uncle Stan would join in as well. Again, there are many stories.
Children of Martin Date of Birth
Beverly Jean Oct. 18, 1930
Mary Lou Oct. 6, 1934
Jerome Martin Mar. 4, 1937
Martin Carl (Rusty) Sep. 5, 1944
In the summer of 1961, when Marty was 56, Walter and Esther asked Marty if he and Francis would go with them to California to visit their brother Lloyd but Marty said he didn't want to go and Francis felt badly about that. Instead Marty and Francis rented a cabin for a week on a small lake up past Milacs and Walter and Esther stayed with them there for a few days before they left for California. When Walter and Esther got back, Marty had been admitted to St. Barnabas Hospital and was being treated for cancer of the throat and esophagus. He was operated on to remove the cancer but it wasn't successful and he also developed a staphylococcal infection. Marty condition was critical and Francis, along with Marty's brothers and sisters who were in town, stayed with him in his room around the clock on assigned shifts. Walter, I am told, talked to his brother about salvation and Marty made his confession a couple of weeks before he died. Marty died on October 25, 1961 two days before his birthday with Walter, his brother and Esther, his sister-in-law at his side. Francis asked Walter to help with arrangements and services were held a couple of days later on Saturday, October 28 at Knable Funeral Chapel and Pastor Roger Carlson of Hope Lutheran Church officiated. Marty was buried in lot 219, section 10, space 7 at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis where his mom and dad are buried. May Marty rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
Peter and Anna Bidne owned land in the foothills of Montana and as part of their estate when they died the land was willed 75% to Marty and the rest to Marty's brothers and sisters. Marty didn't see any benefit from the estate and the land was in probate for many years during which time most of Marty's brothers and sisters also died leaving scores of secondary heirs. Marty's children sold the right to their portion of the will to the person who was renting the land. In the 1980's, because so many years had passed, the state turned over the land to the renter and the will was declared void.
Marty and Francis lived in Minneapolis all their lives have four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The children are Beverly, Mary Lou, Jerome (Jerry) and Martin Jr. (Rusty). There are many stories.
1H-1 Beverly Jean Cowan
b. October 18, 1930. Graduated from Patrick HenryHigh School in north Minneapolis. Beverly married
John Searles and they had three children and later divorced. John was a baseball player. Beverly is
married to Jim Miller. Jim deals in antique furniture. Bev has three children and several grandchildren.
Address is: 8829 Springview Alcove, Woodbury, MN 55125 (612) 714-1906
1H-1a John Martin Searles
b. Nov. 16, 1951. Married to Reggie Webber and they have two children Jacob and Tiffany.
John later married Sandy Bennington. John married to Kathy Fick on April 10, 1993 at Plymouth, MN.
Kathy was born April 15, 1954 and is from Wacouta, MN. Kathy has a child John by a previous marriage.
John has been driving a beer and pop truck since 1983 for Mark 7 Distributors.
Address is: 6337 Quail Av N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 (612)533-3665
1H-1a-1 Jacob John Searles, b. April 23, 1977
1H-1a-2 Tiffany Ann Searles, b. Mar. 10, 1979
1H-1a-3 John Allan Holst, b. May 25, 1981. Stepson, child of Kathy.
1H-1b Mary Denise Cowan
b. April 27, 1953. Married to Michael Wright and has one child. Later married Daniel Bullard. Dan and
Mary run a primitive dude ranch in the foothills North Fork, Idaho and do wild river rafting. Their
ranch is on the Salmon River about 100 miles south of Missoula, Montana. They have no electricity except
for a generator they use to run power tools. In years past persons such as Walt Disney and Walter Cronkite
have vacationed there.
Their address is HC64 Box 105A, North Fork, Idaho 83466. Three children.
1H-1b-1 Bo Michael Wright, b. Mar. 22, 1977.
1H-1b-2 Sarah Katheryn Bullard, b. Nov. 14, 1983
1H-1b-3 Samuel Allan Bullard, b. Dec. 11, 1985
1H-1c Michael Jerome Searles
b. Nov. 23, 1954. Married to Debby Burnes and had two children and is now married to Katie Barrett.
Michael works at a Wholesale florist.
Address is: 6836 Thomas Av South, Mpls 55423 612.866.2449
1H-1c-1 Matthew Michael Searles, b. Sept 24, 1977
1H-1c-2 Eric Anthony Searles, b. Feb. 2, 1980
1H-2 Mary Lou Cowan
Mary Lou was born October 5th, 1934. She Graduated from Patrick Henry High School in north Minneapolis.
Mary Lou married Lawrence Richard (Larry) Cronin b. Dec. 8, 1929, on June 5, 1954. Larry and Mary Lou
have eight children. In 1954 when they married their address was: 1954 St Clements, NE Mpls
Address is: 11848 Kumquat Coon Rapids 55448 (612) 755-1878.
1H-2a James (Jim) Martin Cronin
b. April 23, 1955. Married to Ingred Weber. Three children. Live in West Concord, Minnesota. Jim works
at a grocery store in Waseca, MN
Address is: Rt 1 186 C West, Concord, MN 55985
1H-2a-1 Pamela ____ Cronin, b. July 30, 1981
1H-2a-2 Nicole ____ Cronin, b. Aug 19, 1985
1H-2a-3 Jeffrey ____ Cronin, b. June 20, 1984
1H-2b Gregory (Greg) Thomas Cronin
b. August 27, 1956. Greg is married to Tina Wiborg. Married Jan 15, 1994.
Address is: 10035 Russell Av N, #4 Brooklyn Park MN 55444 612.493.5421
1H-2b-1 Heather May Cronin b. May 15, 1977
1H-2b-2 Jennifer May Cronin b. Jan. 3, 1985
1H-2c Davey Lawrence Cronin
born September 17, 1957. Died at age 20 on March 25, 1978, Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Davey died accidentally of carbon monoxide poisoning when he fell asleep while warming up his car.
1H-2d Katherine Mary (Kathy) Cronin Bearse
b. January 19, 1959. Kathy married Barry Bearse but they are now divorced. Also Kathy was previously
married to Dan Cadis. Kathy has three children. Kathy works in a physician's clinic as medical assistant
and does the book work for her former husband's blacktopping business.
Kathy's address is: 721 Rt 32, Uncasville, CT 06382 203.848.9862.
1H-2d-1 Daniel ______ Bearse, b. June 30, 1979
1H-2d-2 Toni Kathleen Bearse, b. Dec. 23, 1981
1H-2d-3 Tiffany Mae Bearse, b July 25, 1985
1H-2e Margaret Ann (Peggy) Cronin Schlichte
b. Jan 20, 1960. Married to Glen Schlichte. Glen is a carpenter and Peggy is an electrician.
Address is: 9496 72nd St S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016. (612) 459-5932
1H-2e-1 Chad Allen Schlichte, b. Aug. 4, 1991
1H-2f Patricia Marie (Patty) Cronin Johnson
b. Feb. 21, 1962. Patty married Tim Johnson and has two children; Brian and Amy. Patty is now divorced
and works as a nurse at the Minneapolis Children's Hospital.
Address is: 8755 168th Av NW, Ramsey MN 55303. (612) 441-0510
1H-2f-1 Brian Johnson, b. March 23, 1987
1H-2f-2 Amy Johnson, b. June 6, 1988
1H-2g Susan Francis Cronin Carlson
b. Jan. 9, 1963. Susan married Patrick Carlson. Susan is a nurse at the Coon Rapids Clinic and Pat is a
Policeman in Coon Rapids. Address is: 121 43 Lily, Coon Rapids55433. 612.422.1029
1H-2g-1 Patrick David Carlson, b. Oct. 9, 1987
1H-2g-2 Derek Martin Carlson, b. July 25, 1990
1K-2h Michael John Cronin
b. Sept. 27, 1966. Married Tracy Cline. Michael works at Stillwater prison as corrections officer.
Address is: 11082 thrush St. NW, Coon Rapids 55433. .612. 754.1807
1H-2h-1 Tawny _____ Cronin, b June 23, 1989
1H-3 Jerome Martin Cowan (Jerry)
Jerry was born March 6, 1937. Son of Marty and Frances Cowan. Graduated from EdisonHigh School in northeast Minneapolis. Married on March 3, 1962 to Margaret Ann Buechele (Marge) b. Nov 13, 1938.
Address is: 2909 Silver Lake Ct,. St Anthony, MN 55421. 612. 788.5678
1H-3a Paul Martin Cowan
b. Dec. 28, 1962. Married to Diane Stone, b. Sept. 13, 1965 Three children.
1H-3a-1 Kelsey Lee Ann Cowan, b. Sept. 10, 1986
1H-3a-2 Brianna Therese Cowan, b. July 21, 1988
1H-3a-3 Hayley _____ Cowan, b. March 11, 1992
1H-3b Cheryl Ann Cowan
b. Jan 21, 1965
1H-3c Michael Jerome Cowan
b. Jan. 1, 1968
1H-3d Christopher (Chris) Cowan
b. June 29, 1970
1H-4 Martin Carl Cowan (Rusty)
b. Sept. 5, 1944. Son of Marty and Frances Cowan. Graduated from EdisonHigh School in northeast
Minneapolis. Rusty married Gayle Christiansen and they have two children, Denise and Danny. Rusty
then married Bobbie Hazen and they have one child, Patrick. Rusty works as a jobs coordinator for
Masterson Personnel, a job service company.
1H-4a Denise Anne Cowan
b. Sept. 26, 1968. Married to John Videvol on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1992 at the Sheraton Ritz
Hotel in Minneapolis. They were one of 92 couples married that day sponsored by KQRS FM radio
station. John is a marketing analyst for aymark Co. and Denise has worked for Equifax verifying
medical histories. Denise and John live at 13766 Swallow Street NW. Andover, MN 55304.
1H-4a-1 Joshua John Videvol b. January 17, 1996 bap. _____.
1H-4b Daniel Carl Cowan
b. Jan 31, 1970. Danny works for Lund Industries. Danny and Barbara Shawn Hofschild were married
2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 1996 at The Church of the Epiphany, Coon Rapids, MN. Barb's parents
are Mr. and Mrs. Howard H. Hofshild.
Address is 13790 Swallow Street NW. Andover, MN 55304
1H-4b-1 Brandon Cowan b. April 1, 1992.
1H-4c _____________
1H-4d Patrick Michael Cowan
b. April 3, 1981. At the time of this writing in 1996, Patrick is 14 years old and lives in Portland, Oregon with his mother Bobbie.