Lelia Martinson

Lelia’s funeral service will be livestreamed below at 10 am, Monday, August 7th

With thankful hearts, the family of Lelia Martinson, 84, say farewell to their dearly loved, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, & aunt. Lelia entered God’s loving arms Monday, July 31st, 2023, after a lingering battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Lelia was born on April 19th, 1939, to Goldie (Peterson) and Conrad Roso in Thunderhawk, North Dakota. Lelia grew up on the farm with her brothers, Gordon, and Ralph, where she learned to love working with animals and pets.

Lelia attended school in Lemmon, South Dakota (SD) with her brother, Ralph, and graduated in 1956. While in high school, she enjoyed playing trumpet in the band and took many types of music classes. After high school, Lelia attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD and graduated in 1962. She got her first job as an elementary school teacher in Wheaton, Illinois, where she taught for 2 years and then went back to finish her degree in teaching from Northern State.

In 1966 Lelia moved to Minot, ND, to teach elementary school at Jefferson Elementary. It was there that she met her future husband, Lowell, who worked as a plumber for the Minot Public School District. They were married in September 1969 and enjoyed 50 years of married life and growing a family, which included their son, Leaunn “Tom” born in July of 1970 and daughter, Lisa born in May of 1972. Lelia was a stay-at-home mother, but briefly returned to teaching in the 1980’s and taught music lessons to the local children in their neighborhood. Lelia and Lowell were active members at West Minot Church of God and Minot First Assembly for decades where they served as greeters and ushers. Lowell and Lelia moved to Fargo on Labor Day, 2014 to be near their son, Tom, and family.

Lelia was preceded in death by her parents (Conrad and Goldie), brothers (Gordon and Ralph) and husband, Lowell. She is survived by her children, Tom (Sharon Martinson) and Lisa (Mark Wagner), grandchildren, Roy, Caleb, Lauren, & Mason, and many other family and friends.
The family would like to thank the hospice staff at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND, for their service and care of Lelia during her final day of life. Please join us to celebrate her amazing life & legacy at Boulger Funeral Home, Monday, August 7th, 2023, for visitation at 9:00 AM and services at 10:00 AM with lunch to follow.