Paul Martinson

Paul Jerome Martinson, 81, died April 6, 2005, at St. Alexius Medical Center, with his devoted wife at his side. Services will be held at 10:30am, Monday, April 11, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Bismarck, with the Rev. Donna Dohrmann officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 3-5pm Sunday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Paul was born to Carl and Dora Martinson on September 17, 1923, in Kintyre, ND, with his grandmother, Caroline, assisting with his delivery. When Paul was in 3rd grade, the family moved to Washburn, where his mother ran a cafÚ. Paul waited tables there and once had as a patron, Governor Bill Langer, who ordered his eggs "sunny-side up". Paul used to hang out at the river by Washburn, where he learned to be a good swimmer. The ferry-man threw the kids into the river to teach them how to swim. In 1941, Paul graduated from Garrison High School, where he played basketball and football. After graduation, Paul attended NDSU for one year. That summer he worked for the National Forestry Service in Idaho, Montana and Oregon. The U.S. had entered WWII, so he left college and volunteered for the Marine Corps. He attended basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. After serving in the western Pacific, he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and went back to college at UND, on the GI Bill. During the summers he worked construction on the Garrison Dam. In 1949, he graduated from UND with a degree in business administration. After the Korean War broke out, the reserves were called up, and Paul again served in the Marines, in Korea, until January 1952. Following his discharge, Paul was hired as office manager at Northern Improvement. During his 14 years with Northern Improvement, Paul was active in the management of multiple construction projects, including the Grand Forks Air Force Base. On April 15, 1954, Paul was united in marriage to Hattie Hinkel, who stood firm with him in sickness and in health, for the next 51 years. Paul and Hattie were founding members of the Lutheran Church of the Cross, where Paul also served as treasurer. In 1966, Paul was hired as the manager of Missouri Valley Clinic later known as Mid Dakota Clinic, where he worked until his retirement in 1986. Those who mourn his earthly passing, but rejoice in his heavenly entry are his two sons: Steve Martinson, his daughter and grandchildren, Jennifer, Andrew and Kaitlyn, James Martinson, wife Aimee, and their children, Luke and Krista, and Carly Martinson, three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Erv Marson, and their children, Keith and Megie, Shelly and Jim Fischer, and their children, Jessi, Tyler and Michael, and Tracy and Kelly Leer. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Jo Martinson, and her children, Mary Jo Walter, Robert Jodi, Deb, Jon and their families. He is also survived by Hattie's siblings, Dorothy, Theodore, Nobel, Marvel, Maxine, and their families. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Dora, and his only brother Edward.

Paul Martinson

September 17, 1923 - April 6, 2005