Bruce Martin
Sept. 27, 1932-July 28, 2021
Bruce Martin, 88, long-
time Des Lacs area farmer,
rancher and community
supporter died peacefully
on Wednesday, July 28,
2021 in his home with his
family at his side.
Bruce Alden Martin
was born on September
27, 1932 on the family
farm near Mohall, ND to
Henry and Naomi
(Gunter) Martin. The
family moved to a farm
near Des Lacs when he
was 2 weeks old. He at-
tended Des Lacs Elemen-
tary School and High
School graduating in
1950. While in high
school he enjoyed all
sports and was a member
of an all tournament team
for basketball. As a young
adult he joined the U.S.
Army on February 10,
1953 and was stationed
with the 426th Field Artil-
lery Battalion in Germany.
During his service time
he received a
Sharpshooter Badge (Car-
bine), Marksmanship
Badge (Sub-Machine
Gun), Army of Occupa-
tion Medal and National
Defense Service Medal.
He received his honorable
discharge as a Tech Ser-
geant on February 11,
1955 and returned to
North Dakota.
Bruce married Joyce
Eckert on August 11, 1957
at United Methodist
Church in Des Lacs. They
made their home on a
farm/ranch in Rolling
Green Township of Ward
County south of Des Lacs
where they raised small
grains and cattle. They
were the proud parents of
four children. In addi-
tion, he was employed by
E7 Ranch, Minot Lives-
tock Auction, Harrington
Bros. Sales Ring and
drove school bus for the
Berthold School District
for twenty-seven years.
Bruce was a lifelong
member of the Des Lacs
United Methodist Church.
He was very involved in
community affairs and
served on numerous
boards. He was named
Jaycees Young Farmer of
the Year and received the
Kiwanis Achievement
Award and Soil Conserva-tion Award. Also, he was
active in 4-H as a member
and leader for twenty
years and served as a Barn
Manager the North Dakota
State Fair for many years.
Bruce’s loving family
includes: his wife of 63
years Joyce; children: Jill
(Donnie) Fladeland of
New Town, Todd Martin
of Des Lacs, Jack (Kari)
Martin of Minot and
Rhonda (Tim) Murphy of
Dodge City, KS;
grandchildren: Jessica
(Dick) Woodbury, Kami
(Russ) Kling, DJ Martin,
Dustin Martin, Kallie
(Ben) Goodman, Logan
(Kelsie) Murphy, Taylor
(Rebecca) Murphy; four-
teen great-grandchildren;
sisters-in-law: Jeannie El-
lefson, Marilyn (Bill)
Goheen, Gaila Willenbr-
ing, Sue Kivley, Carol
Martin and numerous
nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Bruce was preceded in
death by: his parents, si-
blings (spouse): Wallace
(Marion) Martin, Henry Jr.
(Georgia) Martin, Lynn
Martin, Deloris (Gerald
Hermanstad; Tony
Busch); infant brother:
Wayne Martin and
in-laws: Donovan Eckert
and Bob Ellefson.
Celebration of the Life
of Bruce Martin: Tues-
day, August 3, 2021 at
11:00 a.m. in Faith United
Methodist Church –
Minot.
Interment will be in
Rolling Green Cemetery
-rural Des Lacs.
Visitation: Monday
from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. in Thomas Family
Funeral Home – Minot.
Memorials are preferred
to the Rolling Green
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Fund or the St. Jude’s
Children’s Hospital.
Memories and con-
dolences may be shared at
www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.