Samuel Marten

Samuel Paul (Sambhu) Marten

Sam was born in Calcutta 9/14/1988. He came to his forever home in America April 4, 1989. Sam’s parents, Pastor James Marten of Lodi, WI, and Paula Nelson-Marten, of Aurora, CO, loved Sam deeply as did the rest of his family. They include Uncle Ted Nelson & his wife, Sonia, Aunt Pam Tsuchiya & her husband, Howard, and Aunt Tammy Dixon. His cousins include Mike Wicklund, Ashley Bernal and husband Lee, and Tom Dixon. All family are in the metro-Denver area. Sam’s god-mother Beverly Nelson also was close to Sam. Sam was not married, although he had hoped that might happen in the future.

Sam’s education included kindergarten through high school in private schools in the Denver area. He attended the University of Denver High School 2004 to graduation in 2007. He took an active role in classes also doing service projects as available. While he played several sports, his favorite sport was hockey, playing 4th grade through his second year of college. He also enjoyed attending the Colorado Av’s hockey games; Joe Sakic was his role model. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College (GAC) in MN from 2007-2011.  At Gustavus Sam was active in the C2 Curriculum, played club and Jr. Varsity Hockey and was a Chaplain Assistant for two years at Christ Chapel.

Sam was diagnosed at the age of two with asthma. As a result, he was introduced at a young age to the CO Allergy & Asthma Lung Association, the Colorado branch of the Lung Association, and Champ Camp. From ages 7-21 he was a champ camp convert. He was a camper from ages 7-13 and a counselor from ages 14-21. He volunteered and then worked for Champ Camp from ages 14-21. Doing lung-related service projects for these organizations, he presented twice in 1996 (at age 8) at the Colorado Legislature. The topics included discussing dangers related to smoking in cars when driving young children and the need for children with asthma to be able to carry inhalers at school. He received the first award given to a child volunteer for these presentations. Sam was active in the Colorado Heritage Camps, India Camp, from ages 6 through high school. Through this experience, he learned a great deal about India and the culture, foods, et cetera. Sam’s other organizations included belonging to the Cub Scouts in grade school. Making cars for the annual car derby was one of his favorite assignments. While at GAC, Sam was a member of the fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was active in their many service projects in St. Peter, MN from 2007-2011.

Sam had a delightful way of being, combining a quiet personality but vocal when needed. Most people liked Sam a lot. Close friend learned to depend on him for reliable answers and true friendship. Sam was raised by his Mom from age 7 on. They learned early on how to have fun plus do the other things necessary in life. Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Paul were helpful grandparents.

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Friday, May 20, at 1:30 pm, Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills, CO, 80013. It will also be live-streamed at Bethanylive.org .

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the following charities in Sam's memory Gustavus Adophus College, Ministries of Christ Chapel, GAC, 800 W. College Avenue, St. Peter, MN 56082, or to Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany-Denver.org, to either the Global Mission Fund or the Bethany Fund would be appreciated.

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