Memorial services for Martin Seifert, age 89, of Hettinger, ND, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hettinger, ND. Father Joseph Chipson will officiate and burial will be in the Hettinger Cemetery. Full military honors will be afforded by the Johnson-Melary American Legion Post #115 of Hettinger, ND.


A Rosary/Family service will be held Friday, September 9, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hettinger, ND.


Special music will be provided by Linda Nudell, pianist.


Serving as active bearers are Joren Nordahl, Darren Seifert, Byrony Seifert, Derek Nordahl, Laura Seifert, Jerrod Seifert, Amanda Seifert, Adam Seifert, Beth Gion, Leigh Seifert, Logan Gion, Cole Seifert, Brianne Seifert, Luke Gion, and Kara Gion. All of Martin's nieces and nephews are considered honorary bearers.


Martin Seifert was born on August 3, 1922, at his parents' home north of Haynes, ND. The ninth of twelve children, Martin was educated through the eighth grade in the rural Kansas City township school. As a teenager during the Depression, Martin worked in the local coal mines. In December of 1943, he joined the United States army and fought with distinction in the European Theatre. Martin received three battle stars for action in the campaigns of the southern France landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Crossing of the Rhine. During the liberation period in Germany, he was engaged as an interpreter and recorder of the atrocities at the Dachau concentration camp. He was honorably discharged on March 14, 1946.


Upon returning home, he married the love of his life, Lucille Wagner of Mott, on June 4, 1946, in American Falls, ID, where Lucille was employed. To this union were born six children.


Throughout his life, Martin was a miner, a plumber, a farmer, a rancher, a fisherman, and a hunter. He worked in the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD, for several years. He plumbed for over forty years and attained the level of Master. However, his real passion was farming and ranching in the Hettinger area. He also was responsible for the raising and preservation of wildlife in the local areas.


Martin was a great carpenter and managed to rebuild and remodel all of his five children's homes (with Lucille's help and encouragement). Martin was a wonderful husband; a loving father, grandfather, and uncle; and a helpful neighbor.


He passed away in his sleep at the Western Horizons Care Center on Labor Day, September 5, 2011.


Preceding him in death were his sons Thomas (infant) and Frederick (Mary), parents Philip and Belgan, five sisters, four brothers, and two infant grandchildren.


Surviving him are his wife of 65 years, Lucille; his four children, Yvonne Nordahl (Clare) of Dickinson, David (Yvonne) of Hettinger, Charles (Cheryl) of Lubbock, TX, and Marti Lu Gion (John) of White Bear Lake, MN; 15 grandchildren; two brothers, George (Alice) of Bismarck, and Roman (Dreva) of Tacoma, WA; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.