Patrick "Rick" Edward Martin

Patrick “Rick” E. Martin, 56 of Mora, Minnesota formerly of Devils Lake, ND lost his courageous battle with cancer on February 8, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Sunday, February 13, 2011 beginning at 3:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Fr. Wilhelm on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Urn Bearers for Rick will be his children Brett, Andrew, Patrick and Niki. Reading the Scriptures will be Brett Johnston and Mary Martin. Gift Bearers will be Ian Martin, Jayce Lizakowski, Landon Lang and MacKenzie Jo Martin. Music will be provided by Patty Cote. Rick, the son of L. Patrick and Marylu Martin was born on July 31, 1954 in Devils Lake. Rick attended St. Joseph Elementary School and graduated from Devils Lake Central in 1972. He attended Junior College in Crookston, Minnesota, where he played hockey and graduated in 1974. Rick worked construction for most of his adult life; he obtained his taste for this profession while working summer jobs with George Durbin Excavating. Rick moved to Colorado after graduating from college, he excelled in his work as a heavy equipment operator; two projects he was particularly proud of were digging the foundation hole for the Denver Civic Center to exact specifications and moving the dirt to lay the foundation for the Denver Airport. He moved his family back to Devils Lake for a short period in 1994-2000 and then relocated to Minnesota. He was working as a foreman with Park Construction out of Minneapolis when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Rick’s love of hockey began in the Devils Lake hockey program, the life time friendships which he had with his team mates were touch stones of encouragement throughout his life. Wonderful friends from his Devils Lake’s hockey teams who played with Rick through his childhood, stepped up to join his family and friends in encouraging him through his battle with cancer. Rick, a single parent, and his children appreciated all those who walked through the cancer battle with them. Rick volunteered as a coach in the youth hockey program in Devils Lake and Mora, Minnesota. Rick’s passion for life was contagious; his greatest joy was his children. He is survived by his four children: Brett (Jolie) Johnston of Devils Lake, Andrew Martin, Williston, ND; Patrick and Niki were still living at home in Mora, Minnesota with Rick. Rick is survived by three grandchildren: Ashlyn, Payton and Marni Johnston, Devils Lake, ND. His mother Marylu, Devils Lake ,ND; brothers Alan (Cindy), Provo, UT; Mark (Darla), Phoenix, AZ; Brian, Williston, ND; Barry (Garnet), Devils Lake ,ND; Sisters: Mary Martin, Jackson, WY; Nannette Martin, Devils Lake; Lisa (Jay) Lizakowski, Thief River Falls, MN; and Geralyn (Troy) Lang, Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his father L. Pat Martin of Devils Lake, ND.