Theodore Arthur Martinsen, 82, Benedict, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, in a Minot hospital.
Theodore was born on Feb. 4, 1926, a son of Chris and Carrie (Faul) Martinsen on the family farm where he lived his entire life. He attended grade school in Greely Township, Ward County.
On April 25, 1944, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and served in Germany, being discharged on June 12, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wis. He went on to spend his entire life farming the family farm. He was a chairman of the Greely County Board.
Theodore was united in marriage to Betty Loss on June 30, 1978, in Brainerd, Minn. The couple adopted a daughter, Kamille, adding to Betty's family of one daughter and three sons.
He enjoyed his life as a farmer and rancher. He loved hunting, fishing and playing cards.
Those who shared his life: wife, Betty; daughters, Kamille (Robert) Schlagel, of Reynolds, and Debbi Kinney of Brainerd; sons, Mike (Sue) Loss, Tom (Carla) Loss, and Jim Loss, all of Brainerd; his grandchildren, Jon, Amanda, Joey, Annie and Peyton Loss, Kristi Daily, and Kandi Lemmerhirt; his great-grandchildren, Samuel and Joseph Schlagel; sisters, Vi Bradshaw of San Jacinto, Calif., Darlen Kaul of Minot, and Gladys Baluski of Ruso.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Fred, Albert, Lloyd, Edwin, Martin and Robert; his sisters, Hilda Schmidt and Lila Poline; his daughter-in-law, Regan Loss; and his grandson Teddy Lemmerhirt.
Funeral service: Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.
Burial: In the spring of 2009 at the St. John's Cemetery, Kongsberg.
Visitation: Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, from noon until service time at the Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.
