Allen Bennett Martin

Allen Bennett Martin, 87, of Chubbuck, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on November 3, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.

Allen was born on June 27, 1935, to Daniel Martin and Vera Bennett Martin in Preston, Idaho. He was the middle of three children. He was proceeded in death by his parents and two sisters, Gae Keller and Sue Ann Bosen.

Allen spent the early years of his life in Preston where he helped with the family chores tending to horses, chickens, and milking cows daily. The family moved to Pocatello as part of the effort to produce and ship supplies for the soldiers during World War II. After the war ended, the family returned to their beloved Preston where Allen attended school, graduating from Preston High School. He was a member of the Preston High School track team where he still holds a state record. He also enjoyed football, basketball, and musical theater productions.

Preston was also where he met the love of his life, Kathryn Tanner, who grew up on the same street where he lived. He proposed to her on her graduation night, and they were married a year later in the Logan, Utah Temple. Allen and Kathryn both attended Utah State University for undergraduate school and then University of Southern California, where they received their master’s degrees in Physical Therapy. They worked briefly in Long Beach, California, then moved to Utah where they welcomed their first child, Linda. In 1963 they returned home to Idaho, settling in Pocatello, where the family welcomed two more children, sons Curtis and Kimber.

Allen practiced physical therapy at the old St. Anthony Hospital in Pocatello, and later opened private practices: Physical Therapy Services, Inc., and 18th Avenue Physical Therapy. In all, Allen enjoyed a professional career that spanned over 45 years. Through the years he helped thousands of patients regain their health and always took great pride in helping children with disabilities reach their full potential.

Allen enjoyed almost all outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing which became his life-long passions. He was always happiest with a fishing pole in his hands by a river, hiking his beloved mountains looking for game, or simply just enjoying the beauty of what he called, “God’s Country”.

Allen was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in the Bishopric and High Council and later taught Gospel Doctrine where he was passionate about sharing his love and knowledge of the Scriptures.

Allen is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Kathryn Tanner Martin, and three children: Linda Martin Larsen, Curtis Martin, and Kimber Martin (Kimberly Christensen Martin). Allen also has eight grandchildren: Ladd Larsen (Cretia Larsen), Lance Larsen (Hunter Larsen), Lindsey Larsen, Alex Martin, Emilee Martin, Michaela Martin Maupin (Jason Maupin), Chloe Martin, Tanner Martin, and 6 great-grandchildren (with one on the way).

The family will receive friends at Wilks Funeral Home located at 211 West Chubbuck Road on Monday, November 14th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Tuesday, November 15th from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM prior to funeral services at the church.

Funeral services will be held at the Chubbuck 2nd Ward building at 4775 Hawthorne Road, Chubbuck, Idaho at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 15th.

Internment will be at the Preston Cemetery, 1451 N. 800 E. Preston, Idaho, at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, November 15th.