John Marthe
October 10, 1936 ~ September 30, 2020
John's Funeral mass will be live streamed below at starting Thursday, Oct, 15 at 1:30 PM :
John I. Marthe, 83 years old, passed away on Wednesday, September 30. John was born on October 10, 1936, to John B. and Magdelena Marthe of Esmond, ND. He graduated from Esmond High School in 1953. He attended Mayville State College for one year and then enlisted in the US Air Force, serving from 1955 to 1959. John moved to Fargo, ND, in 1959, where he worked for the US Postal Service and ran his own prescription delivery service.
On January 19, 1963, John married the love of his life, Bernice Jundt of Towner, ND. Together they raised children, Pamela, John A., and Karla. He has been a member of Holy Spirit Church in Fargo for 60 years and a member of Knights of Columbus.
John was a life-long NDSU Bison Fan and Team Maker. He especially loved to attend Bison football and Bison Women’s basketball games. He loved to fish and travel with his wife, spending summers at Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea and winters in Alabama and Texas. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandson Alex, his buddy at the football games.
He is survived by his wife Bernice, daughter Pam (Kevin) Rezac of West Fargo, son John (Karin) Marthe of Denver, CO, daughter Karla Marthe of Fargo, grandson Alexander Rezac of Fargo, and grandson Jesse Rosario of Denver, CO. He is also survived by his sisters Adeline (Jerry) Busch of Denver, CO, Theresa (Jim) Wilmeth of Elberta, AL, Rita Wentz of Rugby, ND, and Jeannette Arnold of Esmond, ND. He is survived by his brothers Dennis Marthe of Rugby, ND, Dale (Karen) Marthe of Minot, ND, and Patrick Marthe of Arvada, CO. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Lorraine Hartman and his brothers Randolph and Wesley Marthe.
John will be interred at the Fargo National Veterans Cemetery.
I so enjoyed running into John when I was in the Minot area. He would often talk about people of Esmond, ask after relatives and old friends, and tell me where the fish were biting. May he rest in peace. I will offer Mass for the repose of his soul in the arms of our Savior!
We always enjoyed visiting with John at the Marthe Reunions. We will miss his smile and visits! We are keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers. Al and Pattie Wilcox
I’m so sorry to hear this news. Loveo all of you.Kelly Abrahamson Binfet ♡
I am sorry for your loss John was a wonderful person and i always loved visiting with and Bernice.. I have amazing memory’ s of him .
Was always such a delight to work with at the post office. Rest in peace,dear sir.
Karla. I am so sorry to hear this. You and your family are in my heart. ♥️♥️♥️
Just found out last night from Barb Leier Grovum that John had passed. Oh John, my dear Marthe cousin who took me to Taylor ND to show me where the Marthes moved from Esmond in 1910 and to meet the Pflepsen relatives who live on the farm there. And our trek down to the New England ND cemetery to fulfill Raymond Pflepsen’s wish to find great uncle Isadore’s grave. What an adventure and bonding experience for John, Bernice, Loran and me! From having to find out that the plot records were kept at the Cenex station to unearthing his grave stone. We were archaeologists for a day and quite pleased with ourselves! When I got the Marthe genealogy bug John told me everything he knew. We spent hours looking at “facts” and arguing over whose “facts” were right. At times we found out we were both wrong and had some good laughs. This “young” Leier cousin will miss him greatly!! Rest in peace dear friend!!
John will be very missed. He was always looking out for my family and everyone he was close to, he truly cared for everyone. Always had a smile on his face. It’s hard to believe he’s gone. God bless my beloved cousin.
I am stunned to hear about John’s passing. I can say with utmost certainty that John was kind, caring, intriguing and a wonderful neighbor to have gotten to know. From my first year on the block, I was literally warmed by his hospitality and enjoyed our conversations. My sincere prayers to the family. God bless. Hali Durand
I was saddened to read of the passing of John. I would run into John and Bernice frequently when walking in the early morning hours at the mall. Always had a great conversation with them. Prayers go out to the family during this very difficult time.
When Pam joined our family, there were many gatherings of both families together. I think it was my fortieth birthday that John learned we shared the same date. For many years after that, I could expect an early call with birthday wishes. I think he took pleasure in being first each year, calling me at work. I couldn’t call first. I was afraid it would be too early. Life took over and things changed. I’ve missed those calls. Happy Birthday John.
Debbie Kelly.
Very sorry to hear of John’s passing, thinking of everyone during this difficult time.
I’m sadden with the passing of Uncle John, a person I appreciated & respected. I have and always will remember Uncle John as someone from my youth that provided consistent, insightful but firm guidance when we spend time with him during the summers, He could even be fun to be around. Again in later years when family again became important, visiting with him at reunions reaffirmed my memories of Uncle John. I will certainly miss him sharing family history and knowledge.
Will always have fond memories while wearing Bison attire he’d provided, knowing I was a big Eastern Eagle fan! When Eastern played the Bison in Fargo, he’d approach Eagle fans asking if they knew me, when he found someone who did, would ask they bring old family photos or other items back with them for me.
Uncle John will be in my daily prayers and memories.
So enjoyed being with John whether it was playing cards or just sitting and talking about old times. He was a great friend, R.I.P. John
Our thoughts are with you.
Dear family of John. I was shocked to see his obituary in the Forum. John Marthe was such a kind and humorous man. When 3 other young gals (barely 20 or 21) and I met John, we learned he was from Esmond and we were from the Clifton /Harvey area. We had no transportation of course, so John would haul us back and forth to our home town whenever he went back to Esmond. Even sometimes he did not go, we would persuade him that we needed to get back there. I don’t remember him even taking gas money (though we maybe didn’t even have any!) . One memorable trip was on a Monday night. There was a wedding dance in Selz, and we all knew the wedding party. So John said “yes” he would take us there. Needless to say we stayed till the dance was done, and as we drove into Fargo in that early morning sunrise, I remember being the only one awake with John and just seeing him framed against that morning sunrise, I will never forget. In fact, the photo of him in the car at about the 9 minute mark is exactly the picture I have in my mind. What a great guy and friend for us gals. I did not see him much anymore after moving to Denver and back here; but I often remembered his kindness to these young gals who had no transportation. You are all in my prayers as John has gone on home to the Lord’s house now. Life is a great journey and we can all benefit from the kindness bestowed upon us by another such as John. Peace and Many Prayers for all of you . God bless you all.
I miss John so much. It’s been much too long since I’ve talked to him. He sure looks like his Dad. Our families spent a lot of time piclkniclig at Buffalo Lake.
During the summer.
Toni & Bill
Beautiful memorial. We are both so sorry. May this wonderful family find peace after tragedy.
Uncle John and Aunt Lena as we called them were a great part of our lives. We spent many a Sunday at their house, and they at ours and at Buffalo Lake for picnics. With their large family and ours, the meals were large and our Mother and Lena prepared food for everyone. Johnny was the kindest, sweetest person who always had a twinkle in his eye and put up with us kids when we were young–always helpful and dear. He was so much like his Dad and Mom. Always helpful and always smiling. Our lives were so enriched by that family. Johnny, you are now in Heaven with Mom and Dad, Randy and all of the rest of your family and friends who have passed before you. I know you will be missed forever. God rest your soul. I know you already have your wings and are helping the rest of the family along the way.