Martha Elliot

Minot

Martha Elliott, the daughter of Jenner and Signe K (Fjellanger) Erickson, was born on August 4, 1946 in Rugby, North Dakota. She died peacefully with family by her side on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota.

Martha was born three months early, weighed less than three pounds and with no NICU’s around then, she was fed with an eye dropper until she weighed four pounds. When she left the hospital, being so tiny, a shoe box was small enough for Martha to snuggle in and keep warm. Martha was raised in the rural home of her parents along with her brother, Mark and sister, Sharon. Her father, Jenner passed away suddenly in 1959, leaving Signe to raise their family. Martha assumed the role as household manager and helped to raise her younger sister. Martha’s natural leadership and organizational skills helped her mom through this difficult time. She was educated in a one room schoolhouse through the 8th grade and she and her brother walked a ½ mile twice a day to and from school in all weather conditions. She then attended Rugby High School, graduating with the class of 1964. She continued her education at Minot State Teacher’s College where she focused on secretarial classes. Martha began her career as a secretary working at the Ward County Courthouse in the offices of the County Agent and Civil Defense. It was there that she met the handsome, twinkly eyed Craig Elliott. After their courtship, the couple were married at Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Rugby on August 31, 1968. Taking no time to start their family, their daughter, Renee Dawn was born on May 7, 1969, during the infamous flood of ’69. Craig and Martha completed their family on October 22, 1973 with their daughter, Sandra Kay. Martha continued her secretarial career, retiring after 41 years of service to Ward County and the City of Minot with her most memorable years being spent at the City of Minot Fire Department.

Martha’s social life was filled with the love that she and Craig had for the First Presbyterian Church and for the community of Minot. She was active in her church serving funeral lunches, attending bible studies and serving with the soup kitchen. Within the community Martha was devoted to the Sons of Norway Thor Lodge District 4 in Minot, serving for many years as its president. Also, she was elected secretary of the Sons of Norway District 4 and served as its representative to the International Sons of Norway in various capacities, and traveled throughout the United States, serving as a delegate to National Conventions. Also, she was very involved in the Scandinavian Heritage Park serving as a tour guide for the Stave Church every Thursday and Heritage House every Saturday. Martha developed many life-long friendships through her memberships with the Sons of Norway, Daughters of Norway Lodge, Scandinavian Heritage Park and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Every year, in the Fall, her life revolved around planning, volunteering, and hosting for the annual Norsk Hostfest. Her days were filled with activity so she rarely sat idle. Her Norwegian heritage was very important to her and she wore it proudly! One of the highlights of her life were the trips she took to Norway.

There are many things that Martha loved, everything Elvis, her favorite color pink, the USA and Norwegian flags and her family and friends above all. She was a loyal friend, who would drop anything to help. She cared deeply for those she loved. No matter where or what she was going to do, she would be dressed to the hilt from head to toe…everything put together with detail and class, down to her lipstick and matching nails. Her summer months were spent at Rice Lake, boating, riding her golf cart, making molasses cookies, canning, playing cards and her famous lake breakfasts. It is a time her family will never forget and these are some of their best memories. Martha was a woman of faith and it showed in everything she did. She loved her family and she will be dearly missed by them.

Martha’s loving family includes her daughters: Renee Elliott and Sandra (Frank) Deserly; granddaughters: Amanda, Ceara and Maddie; great grandson: Leivon; sister: Sharon Anderson (Jon) Stork; brother-in-law: Keith (Lavonne) Elliott; nieces: Hallie Anderson and Carla Erickson Fant and nephews: Chad and Ryan Anderson, Mark Erickson, Jr. and Chad and Mike Elliott.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother: Mark and in-laws: Major and Mattie Elliott.

Celebration of the Life of Martha Elliott: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in Cornerstone Presbyterian Church – Minot. A livestream of the service may be viewed by accessing the link in the website obituary.

Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park – Minot.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Memorials are preferred to the Scandinavian Heritage Park and Cornerstone Presbyterian Church – Minot.

Published by The Minot Daily News, September 17, 2025.