Lowell Martinson
July 18, 1936 ~ September 24, 2019
With Thankful hearts, the family of Lowell Martinson, 83, say farewell to their dearly loved, husband, father, grandfather, brother, & uncle. Lowell entered God’s loving arms Tuesday, September 24, 2019 after a lingering illness.
Lowell was born to Ole & Hazel Martinson on July 18, 1936 in Lostwood, ND north of Stanley. There, he was raised on the family farm. He learned how to work with his hands and to work long and hard. He attended school at Mountrail County Rural School and graduated from Stanley High School in 1954.
He remained on the farm until he joined the U. S. Army in 1958 with his brother, Lysle. He served until 1963 in the Corps of Engineers. He used his busy hands to learn the trade of plumbing and boiler maintenance. Upon leaving the military, he worked briefly in the beet plants by Grand Forks. An opportunity to move closer to home happened when he took a job as a boilerman in the Minot Public Schools until retirement in 1998.
He met a teacher-friend in Minot and married his love, Lelia Roso, on September 6, 1969. They were active members at West Minot Church of God and Minot First Assembly for decades where Lowell served as a greeter and usher.
Lowell and Lelia moved to Fargo on Labor Day 2014 to be near their son, Tom, and family. They resided at Bethany Retirement Home where Lelia still lives and just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary prior to his passing.
Lowell liked to read and visit with people around. He was a stranger to no one for very long. He joked and told stories and listened to everyone, many times the life of the party. When his illness caused him to be placed in memory care, his warm smile and good nature followed him. His busy hands and feet were active everyday as he busily walked around the unit.
Lowell was preceded in death by his parents (Ole & Hazel), brothers (Marlin & Dale) and sister (Arlene Holter). He is survived by his wife (Lelia),Fargo, ND, brother (Lysle)Donna Martinson, Grand Forks, ND , sister (Marjorie Howell) Laurel, MT, son (Tom)Sharon Martinson, West Fargo, ND, daughter (Lisa)Mark Wagner, Scottsdale, AZ. Grandchildren, Roy, Caleb, Lauren, & Mason. Sister-in-laws, (Erma Martinson) Minot, ND, (Wanda) Les Friez, Lemmon, SD and many family and friends.
The family would like to Thank the staff at Bethany Retirement Living, Willow Memory Care, Ethos Hospice and Rev Philip Larson for weekly services and prayers, and a great cloud of witnesses throughout Lowell’s life. Please join us to Celebrate his amazing life & legacy at Bethany University Chapel, Sept 30, 2019 for visitation at 9 am and services at 11am.
Words cannot describe my amazing father-in-law. One of the hardest working, kindest, and funniest person I have ever known. He was always pleasant, giving, and ready to work. He loved the Lord. He spent decades serving at church as a greeter or usher. He would light up a room, now he can light up heaven and walk on Streets of Gold with his busy hands and feet. We love and miss you Lowell!
We will miss you uncle Lowell. Your great smile and sense of humor. So glad you are in a better place and have your mind restored. Love you.
Lowell was a wonderful, kind man that loved his family and put them before anything else. May he Rest In Peace. Thank you for the wonderful daughter-in-law you raised. Our love,
I grew up as a next door neighbor to Lowell and the Martinson family and am sorry to hear about the passing of such a great man. My sympathies and condolences to the Martinson’s. I’ll always remember the pride Lowell took in his garden. God bless.
Thinking of Lowell’s Family
So sad to hear about Lowell. I know the past few years have been difficult. I remember the better times when I would be in Minot on business and I’d stop and have coffee with Lowell and Lelia at their house. They were always so welcoming and glad to see me. If we wanted to have a more serious conversation Lowell and I would meet at Hardy’s. Lowell was a lot more than a cousin. He was a dear friend that I enjoyed being with.
We will miss him.
Dennis and Sue Reynolds
We love you Lowell and we are looking forward to being with you again
In eternity.
Your Cousin Wayne and Babs Reynolds
I extend my sympathy to Lelia and the Martinson family. I wasn’t very old but I remember mom and Aunt Hazel ringing chickens necks, Uncle Ole cutting the boys hair, and Lowell and Lyle picking guitars and singing after a wonderful Sunday supper at Uncle Ole’s and Aunt Hazels farm in Lostwood. It was a grand time for all. I’m sure Lowell is also having a grand time being greeted by Jesus and many friends and family. God bless.