Helen Martin, 97, a longtime Westhope resident, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in Fargo. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Westhope Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
Helen was born to Charles and Lena (Hamill) Bush on Aug. 25, 1914, in Brander Township, south of Westhope. There she grew up along with her older brother, Darrell, on their family farm. She attended Brander School, graduating in 1932. Following high school, she remained on the farm and helped her family survive the Depression years of the 1930s.
On March 27, 1946, she married Leonard Martin in Westhope. Together, they established a new farmstead two miles south of Westhope early in the 1950s. In 1977, they moved their house into Westhope. Leonard died March 9, 1979. Helen continued to live in Westhope, moving to Edgewood Vista in Minot in 2003. In 2011, she moved to Bethany Homes in Fargo.
Helen was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Westhope. Along with church activities, she enjoyed dedicating time to the Westhope Garden Club, the Westhope Area Arts Group and the local homemakers club. She enjoyed playing cards, table games, gardening, cooking, sewing and reading.
Helen was a very devoted wife and mother, selfless in serving her family and community. Her gracious smile will be remembered by those who knew her.
Helen is survived by: two daughters, Marjorie Martin, of Side Lake, Minn. and Rosalyn (Charlie) Krumwiede, of Fargo, N.D.; and son, Merlin (Joanie) Martin, of Westhope. She treasured six grandchildren, Katie Krumwiede (John Myers), Minneapolis, Minn., K.C. Krumwiede, Fargo, Courtney (Michael) DeRisio, of Rye, N.Y., Lee Martin, Cape Coral, Fla., Ty Martin, Golden Valley, Minn., Alec Martin, Missoula, Mont.; and one great-grandchild, Stella DeRisio. Several nieces and nephews also survive and are thanked for their continued support and visits.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard; and brother, Darrell.
Memorial gifts: May be made to the Westhope Cemetery, Westhope Garden Club or an organization of the donor's choice.
Arrangements are with the Nero Funeral Home of Bottineau.