Martin Messer, age 96 of Mott, passed away Tuesday evening, February 11, 2014 at the Mott Good Samaritan Society.

Mass of Christian Burial for Martin will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2014 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott. Fr. Charles Zins will officiate and burial will follow at Sunnyslope Cemetery in Mott. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14, followed by a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. all at St. Vincent's Catholic Church.

Serving as Casketbearers are his Grandsons, David Berger Jr., John, Robert, and Kenneth Messer, Mathias Linster, Chad Greff, Blake Messer, Thomas Merkel, Bill, Daniel, and Martin Messer.

Serving as Honorary Casketbearers are his Granddaughters, Janel Beckert, Danita Rykowsk, Janet Torres, Natalie Obermoller, Laura Shypkoski, Denise Greff, Catherine Hoselton, Sheila Szczur, Barbara O'Brien, Susan Smith, Malisa Olson, Jessica Hoff, Terri Herbel, Nicole Merkel, Angela Simarro, Jillian Gion, Brett Kallis, and Megan Wax.

Martin was born August 2, 1917 on a farm near Antelope, ND. He was the youngest of two children born to John P. Messer and Katherine (Zentner) Messer.
He attended school in Antelope and at Prairie Home School north of Mott. As a young man he developed a love of music, horses and farm life. He worked
on his family farm and played accordion, guitar, and drums at local barn dances.

Martin married Lorine Hafner on May 27,1941. To this union eleven children were born; Charlotte, Larry, Roderick, Marvin, LaVonne, Shirley, Sandy,
Joan, Connie, Laure, and Corine. They lived on the Messer farm 13 miles north of Mott. Martin raised his children with a gentle kindness that left
memories of hide & seek, teaching horse riding, and softball. He continued farming and was also active in Farmers Union, township board, and a chartered
member of the Knights of Columbus. Martin was a kind man, with strong faith, that will be missed by his family and friends.

Surviving family members include his 3 sons, Larry (Mary) Messer, Roderick Messer, all of Mott; Marvin Messer, Lemmon, SD; 7 daughters, Charlotte (David) Berger, Dickinson; LaVonne Hoff, Colorado; Shirley Linster, Dickinson; Sandy (Terry) Greff, Arizona; Joan Messer, Dickinson; Connie (Dennis) Wax, Regent; and Laure (Jamie) Merkel, Dickinson; 29 grandchildren, 44 great -grandchildren, 2 great- great -grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lorine, their daughter Corine Seidel, and his sister, Wilhelmina Swanson.

A memorial has been established.