Beloved Nurse and Matriarch Ruth Eileen Martineau Passes Away

Ruth Eileen Martineau, a cherished matriarch and retired nurse, passed away peacefully at Carondelet Village in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 9, 2026. Born on April 2, 1923, in Pana, Illinois, she was the youngest of five children in the Holland family, raised during the hardships of the Great Depression.

Martineau trained at St. Vincent’s Hospital to earn her nursing degree and served as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Service. During her tenure at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois, she met her husband, Fortune Martineau, a wounded Marine officer. The couple married in 1946 after her honorable discharge and raised a family of six children together, comprising four sons and two daughters. Fortune Martineau passed away in 1996, but their legacy continues through their children.

A Life of Service and Family

Ruth and Fortune were emblematic of the Greatest Generation, moving frequently across the United States due to Fortune’s career in pharmacy. Their journey included residences in North Dakota, Indiana, Washington, and Montana, before settling in Arizona. Later in life, Ruth chose to relocate to Minnesota to be closer to her family.

Throughout her life, Ruth focused on family, taking immense pride in her role as a homemaker. She emphasized education, particularly through parochial schools, and instilled a love of reading in her children. Known for her independence, she often took her children on long road trips to visit relatives in Tennessee and Indiana during summer vacations.

Ruth was also a passionate bridge player, enjoying social games with friends rather than the competitive nature of duplicate bridge. Her vibrant personality and competitive spirit brought joy to those around her.

Remembering Ruth Martineau

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Fortune, and her oldest daughter, Ann Marie. She is survived by her sons, Phillip (wife Stephanie) of St. Paul, Fortune IV (wife Susan, deceased) of Thornton, Colorado, Joel (wife Diane) of Canal Fulton, Ohio, and Thomas (wife Judith) of Zionsville, Indiana, along with her daughter, Mary Merkle (husband Kurt, deceased) of St. Paul. Ruth is also survived by six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Carondelet Village and Optage Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion during Ruth’s final days.

A funeral mass will take place at Brophy Chapel in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 19, 2026, at 15:00, with a private interment scheduled at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.