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Blair Man Killed When Car Crashed Into Power Pole Early Saturday Morning

A young Blair man, Terry Martens, was killed early Saturday morning as the car he was driving was cut in two as it hit a light pole sideways.

The Blair Rescue Squad was called to the scene of the accident at approximately 2:45 Saturday morning, December 14th. The accident took place approximately six blocks west of the Fish Creek Bridge on Highway 30 at the east edge of Blair. The Martens auto apparently was going west when it went off the south side of the Highway and hit the large wooden light post several feet from the ground. The car was sheared in two with the front of the car coming to rest upside down in the ditch and the rear portion of the car right side up on the shoulder of the highway.

The accident was discovered by Don Feer of Blair, who was returning to Blair after answering another wrecker call. Mr. Feer noticed debris on the highway and stopped to investigate and then turned in the call for the Rescue Squad.

Terrance Martens was 19 years of age and a 1973 graduate of Blair High School. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Martens of 1063 So. 16th Ave. in Blair.

At the time this paper went to press funeral services were pending at the Campbell Mortuary in Blair.

Enterprise 19 Dec. 1974

Funeral Service Monday for Terrance Martens

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon for Terrance Martens, a 19 year old Blair man who was killed early Saturday morning in a traffic accident east of Blair.

The deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Martens of Blair. He was living at home at the time of the accident.

He was born at Sibley, Iowa, on October 4, 1955. The family had lived in Blair for a number of years. His father, George Martens, is associated with Interstate Harvestore of Blair.

Terrance was killed when the car he was driving left Highway 30 and struck a power pole. The vehicle was broken in two by the impact. Death was instantaneous.

He is survived by his parents and by a brother and two sisters. The brother is Steven Martens of Phoenix, Arizona, and the sisters are Mrs. Larry Babcock (Kathy) of Omaha and Barbara Martens, of Blair. A grandmother, Mrs. Marie Martens, lives in Sibley, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at the First Lutheran Church Monday afternoon. The Rev. Robert Albers conducted the service and burial was made in the Blair cemetery under the direction of the Campbell Mortuary.

Pallbearers were Bill Brenton, Dave Roberts, Steve Sonderup, Gordy Plummer, Bob Gladwin and Dave Barker. Honorary pallbearers were Harry Pearce, Harry Thomas, and Ron Vig.