‘Party with Marty’ one final time

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

Those who knew Marty Stitsel knew of his ability to make friends with anyone. Marty was born in Moscow, Idaho and spent his formative years living and spending summers in Darrington, Wash., with his grandparents, uncle and brother. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served his country for four years, growing to love Germany where he was deployed. Marty later became a Bellevue firefighter for 28 years before retiring in 1998, focusing his passion toward the outdoors. He became one of the founders of the Pacific Northwest Police and Fire Olympics, was an avid skier, served as the family photographer and loved his family deeply. 

He married the love of his life, Krista, in 1981 and the two spent 44 years together traveling Europe, hiking, mountain climbing, biking, skiing and camping together. Their move to Sandpoint in 2001 started the best chapter of their lives together.

Marty began spending time with his fellow malcontents at the infamous “round table” at Tango Cafe, now Marigold Bistro, where he would brag about his exploits and complain about whatever he thought was wrong in the world.

Marty climbed Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, Mt. Adams (skiing back down), Mt. Stuart, Mt. Olympus in Greece and the Matterhorn in Switzerland, among other lesser-known peaks. He participated in numerous marathons, multi-sport relays, triathlons and track events. He was a national champion in the Masters Steeplechase and a member of the Team Laughing Dog Race Across America bicycling event.

Marty was a “maker” and a talker. He was not content unless he was outside working on his cars, or completing projects around the property with his bulldozer and tractors. If Marty entered a room in which he initially knew no one, he usually left with at least one new friend.

Marty is survived by his wife of 43 years, Krista Eberle; children Marc (Dung) Stitsel, Carrie (Rob) Smith, and Lydia (Brennen) Chasse; grandchildren Maxwell, Sydney and Tucker Lee, Khanh, Linh and Luke Stitsel, and Cornelia Chasse; brother Bill (Sandra) Stitsel; his first wife and mother of his oldest two children, Rita Yates; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Anyone who knew Marty is invited to join an informal celebration of his life, a.k.a. “Party with Marty” on Tuesday, July 1 from 2-5 p.m. at Idaho Pour Authority (203 Cedar St., in downtown Sandpoint). 

In lieu of flowers, either plant a tree or do some good work that promotes a vibrant democracy that acts out the values of liberty and justice for all. When you’re done, please look where you imagine Marty to be and tell him what you have done.