L. Dean MacMartin

L. Dean "Mac" MacMartin, Bismarck, died Dec. 31, 2003, at home surrounded by loving family members. He was born Jan. 2, 1924, and passed away two days before he would have turned 80 years old. A Memorial Service will be held Monday at 1:30 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Burial will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation since cremation has taken place. Leonard Dean MacMartin was born to Maryann Fisher and Leonard Manley MacMartin in Wilton. The family soon moved to Bismarck, where L.D. grew up and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1942. He subsequently joined the U.S. Navy and reported to Farragut Naval Training Station, Idaho, for boot camp. L.D. trained as an aviation mechanic and was honorably discharged on May 13, 1946. After returning to Bismarck, L.D. worked first as an aviation mechanic at Aircraft Service Co. and then started his career as a maintenance mechanic with Armour Creamery. Following he went to work for Tavis Co., which carried the White line of appliances, and gained experience in commercial installation and service. While employed at Tavis, L.D. met and married Geraldine Wyciskala on June 4, 1951, in Bismarck. During the first ten years of the couple's marriage, he worked for Soo Line on the route out of Bismarck as a brakeman and conductor. L.D. then returned to the field of commercial plumbing, heating and refrigeration, working mainly for H. A. Thompson and Sons. It was after his father's death and during this employment that he came to be known as "Mac" by his co-workers and clients. His career expertise expanded with the technology, from the time that walk-in coolers were built from scratch to being built as freestanding units by the manufacturer. Mac was one of the service mechanics at the forefront in the understanding and repair of the 1950-60s innovation "air conditioning." He also worked at power plants, repairing and maintaining small and large air conditioners for offices and mechanical rooms, along with servicing equipment for coal mines and draglines.He was a member of the Local Plumbers and Steamfitters Union No. 795 now 300 and was the local representative for the Health and Welfare Trust. Mac helped found the "Rusty Pipes," a service and social organization of retired plumbers and pipefitters who helped build worthy community projects. He cared deeply for his family and community. His greatest pride was his children and Mac took great delight in chauffeuring and encouraging them as members of the Bismarck swim team. He also relished the role as announcer at the club's swim meets. L.D. was instrumental in establishing Boy Scouts Troop 120 at The Church of St. Anne and was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America for outstanding scouting service.Mac was twice honored as a volunteer with the Ruth Meier Hospitality House, most recently earning a community "Someone Special Volunteer Award" in 1993. The honor was accorded both for his help in building its facility as well as for his day-to-day support. For many years, he was a fixture at Ruth Meier's "Indian Taco" booth during Folkfest, which helped raise funds for the organization. He served on the Senior Housing Authority board for many years. Mac was also a lifelong blood donor.L.D. is survived by his wife of 52 years, Geraldine; their three children, L. John MacMartin Kimberlee Thompson, Minot; Marilyn Rich Carrier, Bismarck, and Bonnie Johnson, Billings, Mont., and special friend Jeff Albers, Livingston, Mont.; two grandchildren, Gretchen Virgil Vetter, Bismarck, and Jeremiah Johnson, Safford, Ariz.; twin sisters, Joan Saabye, Bismarck, and Phyllis Charlton, Minnetonka, Minn.; brother-in-law Paul Barb Wyciskala, Manchester, N.J.; several nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Alexius Hospice or the choice of the donor.

L. Dean MacMartin

January 2, 1924 - December 31, 2003