Louie Nollett

Louis Albert Nollett

Louis “Louie” Albert Nollett, 79, of Martin, SD died Thursday October 17, 2019 at Bennett County Hospital.

Louie and his twin sister Mary Lou were the first ever twins born on Valentine’s Day February 14, 1940 in Valentine, NE to Mary Elsie Ayers and Louis Nollett.  Louie served in the United States Army from 1963-1965.  He became a Master Mechanic and his platoon peers called him “pops” because he was the oldest in the platoon at the young age of 23.

On March 2, 1972, he married Marlene Mae Hauck.  The couple lived in Martin, SD their whole life and had three children; Katie, Tyler and Jeremy.

Louie was a successful entrepreneur owning different businesses in Martin.  He owned Martin Oil & Tire which was on the corner of Main Street.  Louie was a talented mechanic and up until his death you could always find him tinkering on vehicles.  He also had his own trucking business and his last endeavor was Lou’s Auto Sales.

Louie was very active in the American Legion Post 240 and was a weekly chef on Sundays for the Legion breakfast.  He was famous for his pancakes.  He also liked to give the Auxiliary women a hard time on the proper technique of how to make pancakes.  He was a long time member of the Bennett County Commercial Club.

Louie was most famous for being “Santa Claus” for the town of Martin and surrounding rural areas.  He was Santa for 50 years.  He touched the Martin community in so many ways with his generosity.  His memory as Santa will never be forgotten.

Louie had a passion for fishing, hunting and having coffee with friends.  He went on several trips to Canada fishing and hunted locally for years.  You could always see Louie loaded up with his boat heading to his next big fishing adventure during the summer.  In his younger days, Louie also raced cars.

Survivors include his daughter Katie, of Gordon, NE, Tyler of Martin, SD and Jeremy of Rapid City, SD, granddaughters, Emily and Sarah of Gordon, NE, one great grandson Christian Hendricks of Gordon, NE, twin sister Mary Lou Kerr of Valentine, NE and other relatives.

Louie is preceded in death by his wife Marlene, his parents, grandparents and other relatives.

Memorial Services will be held at the Old American Legion Auditorium in Martin, SD Friday October 25th at 10:00AM.  Deacon Calvin Clifford will be officiating with inurnment at the Martin Community Cemetery following immediately after the service.

Bennett County Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.