Genevieve "Genn" Martin Kutter-Lenzen
October 13, 1936 ~ October 14, 2024
Born in:
Hankinson, North Dakota
Resided in:
Lidgerwood, North Dakota
Genn’s services will be viewable on this page.
Genevieve Rosa Martin was born on October 13, 1936, to Edwin and Margaret (Fallon) Martin in Hankinson, North Dakota. She attended rural schools, Saint Francis Academy and graduated from Hankinson Public School in 1954. She then attended Valley City State Teacher’s College and taught school at Duerr #8 Rural School for three years.
Genn was united in marriage to Harvey Kutter at Saint Philip’s Catholic Church in Hankinson on February 11, 1956. To this beautiful union, four children were born: Mary, JoAnne, Joseph and Michael.
In 1957, Harvey and Genn purchased Lidgerwood’s Mobil Oil service station from Ray Mattson and in 1969 they purchased the Mobil Bulk Gas and Oil Service from Alfred Goolsbey. Small engine repair, lawn mower sales, vehicle maintenance, gas and fuel oil sales, tires and excellent full-service customer care all synthesized to form the cornerstone of a Lidgerwood business staple for 43 years. The Kutter Kids and Grandkids learned important life and business lessons while helping at Kutter’s Service. Harv and Genn retired in 2000; on their last day of operation, the price of gas was $1.209. Harvey passed away suddenly in 2001 from heart failure.
Genn taught Catholic religious education for 15 years and held many offices in church-related organizations. She was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for 30 years and made home visits to the homebound throughout that time. In her own words, Genn’s purpose in life was to help people.
She spent her retirement years creating amazing memories with family and friends, making improvements to her ‘little house’ and yard on Wiley Avenue, constantly volunteering at Saint Boniface Catholic Church and gardening. She was a phenomenal bowler and competed statewide. Genn was a proud member of the Lidgerwood Happy Red Hatters and the Lidgerwood Senior Citizens. She loved to text on her phone, read the news on her iPad and stay connected via her Apple Watch.
Genn married Tony Lenzen at Saint Philip’s on a bitterly cold January 26, 2009. Together, they spent three very special years together, which brought a beautiful twinkle into her eyes. Tony passed away in 2012 from mesothelioma.
She took on a starring role as “Liddy” in a campaign for Fargo-Moorhead’s MATBUS via television, internet, radio and billboard ads. Genn was also prominently featured in North Dakota’s MaskUp statewide campaign during the pandemic. She was very proud to have taken all of the necessary precautions and to never have contracted COVID.
Genn embarked on many fun excursions with Gregg, including those to Philadelphia, Seattle, San Antonio, Orlando, Orange, Disneyland, Hawaii (including the Hana Highway and Kaanapali Beach), Redwood National Forest, Disney World, Alaska (including the Dawes Glacier), Saint Maarten’s, Saint Thomas, Cancun Quintana Roo, Victoria (British Columbia) and others. She loved cruises and exploring new places; she was fearless.
Although small, Genevieve Martin Kutter was mighty. She refused to be crushed by tragedies in her life and, instead, rose above them to emerge stronger. First losing her father when she was a toddler, she also lost two husbands and three children during the last two decades.
In addition, Genn valiantly fought and beat both gallbladder and pancreatic cancers through brave determination and grit. Even in the midst of a very recent diagnosis of the third rare cancer of her lifetime, CNS lymphoma, she wanted to do whatever it took to beat it and said she was “good to go” for the fight. Jesus had other plans, however, and decided it was time to bring her home to be with her awaiting Heavenly family. She ensured her cancer battles were focused on others, including taking part in countless research studies in the hopes that others could be saved.
Genn’s survivors include grandson Gregg Schildberger of Fargo, daughter JoAnne Jentz of Mantador, grandchildren Rob Jentz (Stephen Grindrod) of Arlington, Texas, Tracy Jentz of Grand Forks and Krissandra Pohl (Anthony) of Grand Forks, great-grandchildren Addison and Rory Pohl of Grand Forks, brothers James (Carol) Martin of Orange, California, and Roger (Joan) Reinke of Horace. She is also survived by step-daughters Sandy (Mike) Mietz, Susie (Charlie) McConaughay, Donna (Jim) Soncrant, Denise (Tom) Goehring, Julie (Greg) Scholler and several step-grandchildren and great step-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were father Edwin Martin, mother Margaret Reinke, husbands Harvey Kutter and Tony Lenzen, sons Mike Kutter and Joe Kutter, daughter Mary Schildberger, brother Kenneth and son-in-law Michael Jentz.
Services
Rosary - Monday: October 21, 2024 4:00 pm
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND
230 1st St NW
Lidgerwood, ND
Visitation - Monday: October 21, 2024 4:30 pm
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND
230 1st St NW
Lidgerwood, ND
Prayer Service - Monday: October 21, 2024 7:00 pm
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND
230 1st St NW
Lidgerwood, ND
Visitation - Tuesday: October 22, 2024 10:00 am
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND
230 1st St NW
Lidgerwood, ND
Funeral Mass - Tuesday: October 22, 2024 11:00 am
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND
230 1st St NW
Lidgerwood, ND
Please join the family for a reception following burial.:
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND
230 1st St NW
Lidgerwood, ND
Genn sent me the sweetest note, that I still have today and will cherish. I send my heartfelt condolences to you all, and so appreciate the opportunity to get to know and work with Gregg every day! May her memories live in your hearts fondly and forever.
Genn was a very special person to my grandparents, Helen and Al Goolsbey. I have so many fond memories of her and Harvey at the Mobile station and I was so thankful she watched over Helen when Al passed away. Genn is going to be missed!
Genn was such a sweetheart, when her & Harvey had the Mobil, she would come out put fuel in the car, wash the windows~ which meant, getting all bugs off w/o any streaks, check the oil if you wanted and always with a smile.
Mike was in my sister Lisa’s class Joe was in my class, also during her daughter Mary’s service ~ she was so very strong in her faith. After our Kyle’s tragic accident, Genn had sent a card with a message to call if I needed to talk. Losing a child is like none other she told me, I’m here if you need -she wrote.
The Kutter Mobil Station was a great pillar in our community. Genn was a firm example of what stability and faithfulness truly is.
God’s Blessings to you JoAnne and your entire family members. Yvonne Nelson
Genn was so kind as to remember me on my birthdays and at Christmas time . I still remember the delicious buns she used to make and send over from time to time . Requiescat in pace .
Genn was such a sweet lady and a very good friend to my mother. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace. I am having two Masses offered for her at St Leo’s Catholic Church in Minot.
Linda and Larry Truitt. I always called Genn a saint. What a blessing she was to my parents, Pete and Ruth Christians, I don’t know what I would have done without her.Rest in peace my dear friend.
Genn was a wonderful person who knew how to make people feel good. With Gregg she followed my career and would often give words of encouragement. She understood the trials of public service and how to encourage good government. In all her trials and tribulations, she stayed strong. She had huge obstacles which she ignored. Pancreatic cancer is hard to beat but she took it on and won. Never slowing down and always marching forward with that positive attitude. God bless!! Mayor Tim City of Fargo