Jed Lawrence Martin

Jed Lawrence Martin 1957-2025

Entrepreneur. Critical thinker. Innovator. Fearless. Inspiring. Focused. Courageous. Driven. Pillar of strength, resilience, and determination. Unshakable.

Jed Lawrence Martin, 67, of Dale, WI, passed away while surrounded by family on June 16, 2025, after 31 years of living with ALS. He was born on August 15, 1957, in St Louis, Missouri to Paul and Mary Martin (Ewing).

He married the love of his life, Jody Martin, in May 1981, knowing from the first moment he saw her that one day she would be his wife. The two of them were true soulmates, sharing a love for one another unlike any other. They loved their life together – growing their business, traveling, sharing a unique sense of humor, and especially enjoying the quiet hours of the early morning drinking coffee and sharing life together before the demands of the day set in.

Jed was truly one of a kind. He had an insatiable curiosity – always seeking to understand how things work, how to improve them, and how to make them his own with his signature “Martinization” process. Diagnosed with ALS 31 years ago and given just a few years to live, Jed defied insurmountable odds of survival with extraordinary courage. He turned his diagnosis into motivation, he challenged it, and he took it further than anyone could have imagined. Over the last three decades, he built his company, Earth Sense Energy Systems, into the largest pellet stove retailer in North America. Under his leadership, the company grew to four locations and earned the prestigious Hearth and Home Magazine Retailer of the Year Award. He put his heart and soul into his work, diversifying the business to include a wide range of services and products and launching the sale of his own product – Uncle Jed’s Cold Remedy pellets, complete with his face as the logo. His legacy in the industry was one of innovation, quality, and vision.

Jed’s journey was marked by resilience, faith, and fierce determination. His faith in God gave him the strength to face each day without giving in or giving up. Committed to holistic wellness, he pursued organic food, alternative therapies, healing machines, and countless supplements – all with the aim of living life as fully and for as long as possible. His dedication and focus on work are what kept him in the game – up to the very end he worked seven days a week, climbed three flights of stairs up to his office, worked out every day, and never allowed himself to say, “I give up”.

Jed had a love for adventure and travel. Two places he loved to visit the most were his family cabin in Remer, MN and his condo in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. The cabin, cherished by his family for 67 years, was a special place for the entire family. Many summers were spent with boat rides, fishing, swimming, Black & Mild cigars, and making countless memories with loved ones. Mexico was a place for relaxation – sitting on the beach, eating tacos, listening to classic rock music, drinking tequila, and sharing his legendary stories with family and friends. Some of his most memorable adventures were several cross-country bike rides with his best friend, Jeff.

Jed Martin was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Jody Martin (Zillges), his children, Ashley Leonard (Thomas), Taylor Martin, and Reed Martin (Abby), his grandchildren, Liam, Eliana, and Alden Leonard, his siblings Scott, Paul, and Laurie Martin, his nieces and nephews, and numerous good friends and travel companions, including Jeff Watson, George Dalbec, and Paul Bugenhagen.

We would like to convey our deepest gratitude to his son Taylor, who coordinated and managed the incredible angel girls that were part of his care team: Makenna, Mary Jo, Ashley, and Selena. We can never thank them enough for how much they loved and tenderly cared for him.

A memorial service will be held at Appleton Alliance Church on June 20, 2025, at 10:30a. The family will greet guests from 9:30-10:30a, with a reception from 11:30-12:30p at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers in his memory. Jed Martin had a deep impact on and was an inspiration to all who knew him. His absence will be profoundly felt.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.