WALTER P. MARTIN

Walter P. Martin, 88 of Devils Lake, ND passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday morning, April 5, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Mass of the Resurrection for Walter will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church. Walter will be laid to rest in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Walter Patrick, son of Joseph M. and Virginia (Bercier) Martin was born on December 12, 1926 at Devils Lake, ND. His nickname from his siblings was “Big Shorty” and that name always brought a smile to his face. Walter made his home with his family in Devils Lake until December of 1945 when he moved to the State Developmental Center in Grafton, ND. In June of 1968, Walter made his home at San Haven, rural Dunseith, ND until returning to Devils Lake on August 17, 1987 and made Devils Lake his home until his death. Walter participated in all the activities at Grafton and San Haven and when moving to Devils Lake he was active in the Day Support Program at Lake Region Corporation. Walter enjoyed shopping, church and community events and Christmas was always his favorite holiday. For several years, Walter was “Santa” for the LRC Christmas Open Houses. Walter especially enjoyed spending time with family and attending family gatherings. He loved to sing, yodel, listen to music and dance in his younger years. He was a “collector” of many many different things but that is part of what made Walter so special. He loved animals and watching children at play and having fun brought him much joy. Walter is survived by his sisters Eugenia “Maggie” Martin and Frances Shafer both of Devils Lake; several special nieces and nephews and his beloved LRC family. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Louis, Joseph and Duane Martin; sister Irene Houle; many nieces and nephews.