Michael D. Martin

Michael D. Martin, 26, of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Michael will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Family Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Michael will be Dennis Martin, David Martin, Kari Kopp, Holly Fisher, Eric Felch and Dave Olson. Michael was born on April 16, 1984 at Fayetteville, North Carolina, the loving son of Douglas and Linda (Ramsdell) Martin. Since Michael’s father was in the military he grew up in many different places including two years at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, spending three years in Panama in Central America, four years at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, one year in Kenmare, ND close to family then 1 ½ years back at Fort Bragg before moving to Devils Lake in 1995. Michael made his home at New Outlooks from 2000 to 2005 and in June of 2005 moved to the 4th Avenue Group Home where he was living at the time of his death. Michael graduated from Devils Lake High School in 2005. After graduating, Michael was employed at Lake Region Corporation and Community Options. At Lake Region Corporation he was involved in the Quality Management Committee and was Treasurer of the Northern Lights Self Advocacy Commitee. At Community Options Michael worked with computers, on office skills, and on art and woodworking. He also bailed cardboard at the Recycling Center. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the Optimist Club. He was very active in Special Olympic Bowling and Basketball and “League of Our Own” bowling. Michael enjoyed vacationing with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed trips to Branson, Missouri, Disney World in Florida, Monterey, California and Lake Metigoshe Summer Camp. He loved music, especially Country music and was a football, baseball and wrestling fan. Michael was very dedicated to sending greeting cards to family and friends for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. He enjoyed watching game shows and going to the casino. He was a faithful fan of the Minnesota Twins and Green Bay Packers. Michael became a Minnesota Vikings’ fan last year when his favorite player, Brett Farve, became the quarterback. Michael loved his family, was kind-hearted, and cherished the simple things in life. Michael is survived by his loving family; his parents, Douglas and Linda Martin of Devils Lake; brother Matthew Martin of Fort Hood, Texas; maternal grandparents Bob and Delores Inman of Berthold, ND and paternal grandparents Carolyn and the late Allen Martin of Kenmare, ND; maternal great grandmother Inga Ludwig of Valley City, ND; uncles David Martin of Pelican Lake, MN, Dennis (Peggy) Martin of Burnsville, MN, Randy Ramsdell of Cook, Nebraska, Blake (Danae) Inman also of Berthold; aunts Rita Hamsher and Alecha (Tracy) Neubauer of Berthold ND, Mechell (Jeff) Holien, Surrey ND, and Sherry (Marshall) Hill of Minot, ND; friend Ashley Johnson of Devils Lake. Many cousins also survive. Michael was preceded in death by his grandfathers Allen Martin and John Ramsdell and aunt Debbie Ramsdell. The family would like to thank the group home employees, the ambulance crew, the police officers who responded to Michael's emergency, and the Mercy Hospital medical personnel involved in Michael's case for their kindness and assistance. It was greatly appreciated by the family and will never be forgotten.