Ronald G. Marto

Ron’s service livestream will be viewable on this page shortly before it starts:

Ronald Gene Marto, 77, Fargo, ND, left this world to be with his Lord and Savior on January 6, 2024 at St. Catherine’s North, surrounded by his immediate family after a long battle with dementia.

He was born on November 9, 1946, in Minot, ND to Willis J. Marto and Glady M. (Lee) Marto. He attended Minot High School and graduated in 1965.

He received his draft papers shortly after graduation and at the urging of his father who served in the Army in WWII, he and his 3 best friends drove to the Fargo Military Entrance Processing Station and he enlisted in the Navy on October 19, 1965. He spent most of his 4 years at sea serving a tour in East Asia on the USS Diamondhead and then serving a tour traveling up and down the coast of Vietnam on the USS Sitkin, supplying other warships with ammunition. He was a Shipfitter, and his duties included welding, plumbing and metal fabrication. After traveling all over the world, he was honorably discharged from the Navy on October 6, 1969.

Upon return home, he attended school at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. While in school, he met Mary Lizabeth Cawelti, and they married on February 26, 1972, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wheaton, MN. They settled in Moorhead, MN where Ron continued attending school to become a diesel mechanic. Mary worked as a respiratory therapist at St. Lukes Hospital in Fargo, ND. Prior to the birth of their first daughter, they purchased their first and only house in Fargo, ND, where they resided for 48 years. Ron worked as a diesel mechanic at International Harvester, which was later sold to Nelson International, in Fargo, ND, for 19 years. He was then employed at Galvanized Inc., in West Fargo, as a shipping and receiving clerk for 18 years.

Ron was a member of First Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.

He was known for his green thumb and loved to have a beautiful yard with flowers. He enjoyed gardening, specifically growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans. He loved working on his truck and the family car. He enjoyed going to his camper on weekends at Meadow Lake with family to swim and fish. He was known as Mr. Fix-It and took pride in being able to fix everything himself. He was known around the neighborhood as a kind and friendly man who always gave of himself to help others.

Ron is survived by his wife Mary Marto; children Theresa (Cory) Mack, of Perham MN, Christopher Marto, of Fargo ND, and Kimberly (Tom) Tenderholt, of Moorhead MN; grandchildren Alexander and Austin Mack, of Perham MN; siblings Gary Marto, of Rugby ND, Jeff (Tammy) Marto, of Minot ND, and Linda Merritt, of Mt. Home ID; his cat Philip; as well as many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents.

Thank you to the Fargo VAMC, Sanford Hospice and St. Catherine’s North for the wonderful care and support.

Ronald’s Tribute Video