Martin "Marty" Jocke Uthke

Martin J. “Marty” Uthke, 50 of Devils Lake, ND died on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Robert Pecotte will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Amadon Faul, Rob Barfield, Jim Baer, Ken Scaletta, Mark Fink, James Volk, Bill Wanschaffe and Bob Cossette. Honorary Pallbearer will be Kim Morris Reading the Scriptures will be Allison Uthke-Scarletta and Bob Barfield Gift Bearers will be Josie and Adele Faul and Felise Baer, Amy Uthke and Jemma Barfield Martin Jocke Uthke was born on September 14, 1956 at Cando, ND the son of Wendall and Shirley (Eresman) Uthke. He was reared and educated in Devils Lake, graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in 1974. He entered the United States Army in September of 1974, stationed in Germany with the 1st Infantry Division. Marty was united in marriage to Birgitta Edelgard Blum on June 6, 1979 in Devils Lake. They established their home in Germany where they would live, work and start their family. During the years he lived in Germany, Marty worked a various jobs, including McDonalds, Brir Gebaudersiniguna, A.E.G. Telefunken and for six years he worked for IBM, a job he thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in. In 1991, he returned to the US with his daughter, Josie and they made their home with his parents. In 1994, he attended Bismarck Junior College and graduated with a degree in Power Plant Management and Technology. After graduating, he moved to Grafton and for the next 10 years was the Boiler Plant Manager at the Developmental Center. He then returned to Devils Lake and was employed at the North Dakota School for the Deaf as a Plant Technician. Marty was a life time member of the 1st National Infantry Division and the NRA. Marty had a fondness and dedication to many things, including collecting stamps, mugs, cars and many other items of special interest to him. He loved animals and working on old trucks, cars and motorcycles. He was also a barbequing connoisseur and avid outdoorsman. While in Germany he loved to explore the Black Forest with his daughter and his two special German Shepards, Angie and Harley. He was adamant in keeping alive the German heritage for his daughter and granddaughter. He learned to speak, read and write in German and spent hours researching the history and culture of Germany. However, the true love of his life was his family and he treasured every moment he had with his granddaughter. Marty was the rock for all of his family and will be forever loved and forever missed. Marty is survived by his daughter, Josie Vanessa Angela Faul and her husband, Amadon of Grand Forks Granddaughter: Adele Birgitta Edelgard Faul Parents; Shirley and Wendall Uthke, Devils Lake Sisters: Celeste Barfield and her husband, Rob of Minot Felise Baer and her husband, Jim of Fargo Allison Uthke-Scaletta and her husband, Ken of Roseville, Minnesota Amy Uthke and her fiancé, Mark Fink of Babbitt, Minnesota Nieces: Jemma Barfield, Minot Wendy Sue and Sophia Scaletta, Roseville, MN Nephew: Jace Fink, Babbitt, MN Aunt: Colleen Eresman of Devils Lake Many Cousins also survive. Preceding him in death are is infant sister, Viola Doris Uthke; grandparents, Margaret and Leo Eresman and Sophia and Harry Uthke; aunts and uncles, Vera and Lloyd Anderson and Dolly and Vince Lambert.