Martin "Marty" Edward Thomsen

Martin “Marty” Edward Thomsen, 59, passed away on Saturday, October 5th, 2024 in Lakewood, Colorado. He was born on August 10th, 1965 to parents Clarice (Bowser) Thomsen and Lawrence Thomsen in Topeka, Kansas.

Marty graduated from Topeka West High School in 1983 and went on to earn degrees in Business Administration/Marketing and Purchasing from Washburn University in 1994. He spent most of his career working as a Client Insights Consultant/Director first with Nielsen (2000 – 2016) and then IRI Worldwide/Circana (2016 – 2024). 

Music was an important part of Marty’s life. He started playing the guitar at the age of three and over the years learned to play acoustic (both six and twelve string), electric, and bass. When he wasn’t playing music he was listening to it. Marty’s musical tastes ran the spectrum from Fleetwood Mac to Green Day, Van Halen, and the Beatles, but he especially leaned into music from the grunge era and classic rock.

Almost as important as music to Marty was his love of animals. Growing up his family had several unique pets including peacocks and a raccoon. As an adult his compassion and care for animals led him to adopt shelter dogs (and a very special kitten named Macy, whom he loved and cared for more than 18 years). 

Marty was a huge fan of KU basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs. He had a large collection of memorabilia adorning his office and could almost always be found wearing a Jayhawk tee shirt. He looked forward to playing Fantasy Football every year and was especially happy if he drafted a Chiefs player or two on his team. 

Marty’s favorite food was BBQ – especially Jack Stack BBQ, which he ate every time he went back home to Kansas. He even bought a smoker so he could learn how to make it at home. 

Marty will be remembered for many things: his dry wit, his love of trivia, his deep compassion for his fellow human beings…but most of all for the love and pride he felt for his family. He often said being a father was his greatest accomplishment in life. 

Marty married for the final time in December of 2020 to Jennifer Thomsen. A Zoom wedding was held with family and friends watching rather than waiting for in-person events to reopen so they could end the year on a joyous note. 

Marty is preceded in death by his parents Clarice and Lawrence Thomsen, his big brother Mike Thomsen and his nephew Mike Thomsen Jr.

He is survived by wife Jennifer Thomsen, his siblings Cathy Zlotnik and Mark Thomsen, his beloved children and step-children Sterling Thomsen, Calindy Li, Clarissa Strawn, Camee Padilla, step-grandchildren Adrian Strawn, Olivia Strawn, Enzo Strawn, Tate Strawn, and nieces and nephews Catherine Thomsen, Elizabeth Thomsen. Sarah Hart, Amber Clarke, Andrea Williamson, Joshua Thomsen, Cameron Thomsen, Carmen Thomsen.

Donations may be made to the Riverdale Animal Shelter by visiting https://animalshelter.adcogov.org/donate