Martin Gutekusts was born January 1, 1917 in New Fame, Wisconsin one of nine children of Carl and Otilla Gutekunst. He attended Lutheran school through St. John's Church in New Fame and graduated from Kewaskum High School. Gutekunst was drafted into service in 1943 while working as a draftsman at Milwaukee Boiler Manufacturing Company. He served with the 2nd Naval Beach Battalion in both the European and Pacific Theaters, and landed on D-Day.
He returned to Milwaukee, Wisconsin after the war, attending the University of Wisconsin for two years, eventually returning to work at Milwaukee Boiler Manufacturing Company where he worked as a chief engineer until retirement. He married Lois in 1947, steeling in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and raising three children.
