Theresa Martin

Theresa Martin (90) of Grand Forks, ND (and formerly of Rock Lake) died October 14, 2022 at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND. Theresa Lorraine Martin, the daughter of Emma and Adam Ullrich, was born October 25, 1931 on the Ullrich family farm in Wells County, New Rockford, ND. She was the 5th of 6 children. Theresa graduated from St. James High School in New Rockford in 1949 and was salutatorian. She then attended Minot State Teacher’s College. After graduating, she started her first teaching job (1st and 2nd grade) in Rock Lake. She married Carl “Milton” Martin June 8, 1953. They made their home on a farm north of Rock Lake which belonged to Milton’s parents. Theresa and Milton eventually purchased the farm from them and farmed there for many years.

Theresa really enjoyed the farming life and all that it brought: gardening, cooking, baking, and canning in the fall. While being a farmer’s wife and raising nine children, she found time be involved in Christian Mothers (Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church) and also taught catechism. In the evening, she enjoyed going for motorcycle rides along the prairie trails in the wheat fields. In later years, she switched to riding a four-wheeler which Milt bought her in celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. When Milton retired in 1987, they built their dream home in Rock Lake. After moving into town, they became involved in the Senior Citizens and enjoyed playing cards with friends and delivering home delivered meals. She loved reading books and also doing handiwork like crocheting and embroidery. Also in their later years, she enjoyed all the trips they went on to various places throughout the United States.

She loved her role as "grandma" and had 15 grandchildren. How she enjoyed crocheting afghans and making other things for them. Grandma’s homemade treat corner in the kitchen and the candy drawer were legendary, as were her deep freezers (always full of goodies). Milton used to fondly refer to her as a “food pusher.” Keeping everyone well-fed was very important to her.

Preceding her in death were her parents Emma and Adam Ullrich; her in-laws Charles and Esther Martin; her husband Milton, in 2018; her siblings and their spouses Mary (Richard) Hoeg, Henry (Pat) Ullrich, Charles Ullrich, Leona (George) Beatty, and Ellen (Jim) Knudsen; sister-in-law Ina (Jerry) Ronningen; and sons-in-law Brad Torkelson, in 2014, and Kent Lenz, in 2018.

She is survived by her children: Rick Martin, Rock Lake, ND, Jerry (Carolyn) Martin, Rock Lake, ND, Curtis Martin, Fargo, ND, Craig Martin, Fargo, ND, Laurie (Brad) Torkelson, Bismarck, ND, Jeanine Martin, Grand Forks, ND, Jeanette (Clay) Aanerud, Otsego, MN, Cheryl (Nate) Carlson, Grand Forks, ND, and Michelle (Kent) Lenz, Reading, MN; 15 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Grand Forks.
Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service.
Burial will be held  at Rock Lake Community Cemetery, Rock Lake, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for Theresa's family to donate to her favorite charities.