Morris Martin

Funeral Mass for Morris Martin, 85, of Dickinson, will be 10:00 a. m. , Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Most Rev. David D. Kagan, Bishop of Bismarck, D. D. , P. A. , J. C. L. , Father Keith Streifel and Deacon Al Schwindt celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Richardton, ND with Abbot Brian Wangler OSB officiating. Military Rites will be by the Dickinson Honor Guard. Visitation for Morris will be from 12:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. , Monday, July 7, 2014 with a rosary and prayer service being held at 7:00 p. m. Morris passed away Thursday, July 3, 2014 at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson, ND. Morris Edwin Martin was born March 3, 1929 in Sykeston, ND, the son of Oscar and Delphia (Hollingsworth) Martin. He grew up and attended grade school at St. Elizabeth’s grade school in Sykeston and graduated from Carrington High School in 1947. After school, Morris was a telegrapher for the Soo Line Railroad. On November 25, 1950, Morris and Marcella Ganje were united in marriage at Harvey, ND. To this union six children were born, Steve, Jan, Nancy, Mary, Theresa, and Tom. On January 16, 1951, Morris was drafted in to the US Army and served during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge in 1952, Morris returned to work for the Soo Line Railroad. He went on to attend Valley City State College on the GI Bill and received his B. S. degree in Education in 1958. Morris began his teaching and coaching career in Oriska. He also taught and coached in Carrington, the Assumption Abbey in Richardton, and Dickinson State University. Later, he turned his focus on administration serving as Principal and Superintendent of Trinity High School, Superintendent of Richardton Public School District, and the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Bismarck. Because his Catholic faith was always important to him, Morris enrolled in the first class of the Deacon Formation Class and was ordained a Deacon in 1981. He served the parishes of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richardton, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bismarck and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. In 1994, Morris and Marcella served as Chaplains at the ND Youth Correctional Center. He retired in 1999 and moved to Dickinson where he has made his home since. Morris loved sports, especially baseball and watching the “Twins”. He enjoyed reading autobiographies about influential people. Morris didn’t fear the electronic age and began reading from his Nook and keeping in touch with his family on the computer. He loved visiting with people and would always ask, “How are you doing?” When asked in return, he would respond with “Quite well. ” Morris was well respected as a coach. Contact with his students spanned a lifetime and he was always greeted as “Coach”. What he enjoyed most was a good conversation and good food. He also participated in numerous coffee groups around town. Deacon Morris is survived by his sons, Steve (Jan) Martin, Powell, WY, and Tom Martin, Hammond, WI; daughters, Jan (Randy) Jost, Dickinson, ND, Nancy (Cal) Gustafson, Dickinson, ND, Mary (Ron) Cascaes, Chandler, AZ, and Theresa (Randy) Hauck, Velva, ND; grandchildren, Jessica Martin, Rob (Heather) Martin, Jason (Lynn) Jost, Kyle (Dana) Jost, Kari (Josh) Sayler, Brittany (Ben) Holten, Scott (Stacey) Cascaes, Gregg (Darcy) Cascaes, Danielle Hauck, Trevor Hauck, and Xavier Martin; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lola Swedberg of Fargo, ND, and Lavonne Martin of West St. Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Delphia Martin; his wife, Marcella; an infant grandson, Isaac Martin; and one brother Len Martin. Because Morris was passionate about many things, the family suggests memorials to be made to a charity of your choice.


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Burial Date: July 8, 2014
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Tuesday: St. Joesph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND