Roger Marten founded Marten Transport, Ltd. in 1946 at the age of 17, delivering milk and other dairy products. His routes at that time were primarily in the Modena, Wisconsin area where Roger was born and raised. Driving for the Modena Co-op Creamery, Roger purchased his first truck route with a $400 loan from his mother. In the 1950's he expanded his milk delivery routes, purchased and drove school buses, and hauled petroleum products with his first tractor-trailer. In 1993 Marten suffered a tragic loss when Roger passed away. There are still many driving, office, and terminal employees working at Marten who were hired by Roger. Shortly after his passing, the Roger Marten Community Center was built in Mondovi, WI. The facility was dedicated to his memory in 1996.