Martin Peter Smits Jr., 82, of Wiggins passed away on July 21, 2017 at Seven Lakes Memory Care Facility in Loveland, CO after courageously enduring a long battle with dementia.

Martin was the eldest of five children born to Martin Sr. and Cecelia Smits. He was born at home on June 1st, 1935 in LaSalle, CO. His father emigrated to the United States of America from Holland as a young child and Martin Jr. was the first generation of the Smits family born in the United States. He graduated from Gilcrest High School in 1953 and furthered his education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.

On May 1, 1956 he married JoAnn Weigle at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Greeley, CO. For their honeymoon they traveled to Las Vegas and while there they saw Elvis perform, not realizing at the time how big of a sensation Elvis would become. Mart & Jo (as they were often referred to by family) were married for 61 years and blessed with six children, five boys and one girl.

After attending CSU, realizing his calling was farming, Martin began farming with his father in Gilcrest, CO. In 1964, together with his father and siblings, Smits Farms, Inc. was created and the farm west of Wiggins, CO was purchased. A few years later the family corporation purchased the ranch south of Wiggins. In 1966 Martin and JoAnn's new house on the Wiggins farm was completed and the family moved in. All six of their children graduated from Wiggins High School and in a couple more years the 3rd generation of Smits' will start school in Wiggins. Loving the rural atmosphere, the good friends they had made throughout the years, and the history the family had built there, Martin and JoAnn built a house "in town" and moved into the Town of Wiggins in 2003 after Martin retired from farming.

Martin was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. He was instrumental in the planning, design, and building of the current church, which was built in 1974. Additionally, he was a member of the Fort Morgan Elks Lodge, the Greeley Moose Lodge, and he served on the FFA Advisory Committee.

Camping, fishing, hunting, and traveling in the motorhome were among the many activities Martin enjoyed. He loved exploring and learning the history of the various places he visited. He had a love of music and a passion for dancing, especially Polka dancing. If there was a Polka band playing anywhere in the area, Martin and JoAnn could be found there. They were always on the dance floor and would sometimes steal the show with their steps. Martin instilled his love of nature, respect for the land, appreciation for God's gifts, and his love of Polka in his children, as these traits are very much alive in each one of them.

Survivors include: his wife JoAnn of Wiggins; his sons Martin III of Dallas, TX; Greg (Charity) & family Carly Brown (Roger), Willow, Megan, and Molly of Wiggins; Chris (Lori) & family Kendra and Kelsi of Wiggins; Tim (Angie) & family Morgan and Ty of Wiggins; Tom (Katie) & family Dane, Joanna, Sebastian, and Oliver of Jackson, WY; his daughter Sandy Ewertz (Wayne) & family Kyle and Tanner of Wiggins; his brothers Dave (Judy) of Fort Morgan, CO; Leonard (Karen) of Platteville, CO; Bill (Chere') of Winterhaven, FL; and his sister Ann Dingeman (Tom) of Greeley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Sr. and Cecelia Smits, and recently by granddaughter Georgia Smits.

Recitation of the rosary will be held Monday at 7:00 PM at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Wiggins. Inurnment will also be Tuesday July 25th at Mizpah Cemetery, Platteville, CO, at 2:00 PM.  The Heer Mortuary is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Family prefers that contributions can be made to the Martin Smits Memorial Fund c/o the Heer Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Avenue in Fort Morgan, CO 80701.  The memorial funds will be distributed to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Alzheimer's Association, or Halcyon Hospice.