June Faye Martell

June Faye Martell, 74 of Devils Lake formerly of Sawyer ND passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Eventide Heartland Care Center.

June was born June 19, 1947 in Minot, ND to Marvin and Esther (Klimpel) Irwin.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church, Sawyer, ND, where she was raised on a dairy farm and educated in Sawyer, ND and graduated with her beloved Class of 1965 “SHS”.

June was married to Stephen Martell.  They made their early home in Wolf Point, MT, before settling in Medicine Lake, MT.  From this union of marriage was born one daughter Melissa Joy and one son Michael Todd.  June was widowed in 1986 until the time of her death.

June began her career in healthcare in Wolf Point and continued as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) after moving to Plentywood, MT.

June moved closer to home to live with her sister in Minot in 1999, at the passing of their mother.  June was a member of Ours Saviors Lutheran Church, Minot, ND. She continued in healthcare working for Minot Vocational Workshop.

June, lovingly known as “Junebug” enjoyed cheering on the Minnesota Twins, watching Class B basketball and college ball, playing Bingo with her sister. Some of her favorite things in life were trips to Montana visiting her son and grandson Kenny, in Billings. And trips to Plentywood to see her daughter and watch her grandson Andrew play basketball.  She loved trips to Branson, MO and to Kentucky, and one special surprise trip to Graceland.  June had many friends from all walks and places in life.  She was always warmhearted, so gentle, kind and giving.  She brought joy to all.  She was quick with a joke, the life of the party, and made all who were around her laugh.

When June’s health began declining, she moved to Devils Lake, ND to live with her special niece “Ned”, and eventually became a resident of Eventide Nursing Home/Heartland Care Center, until the time of her death.

June was preceded in death by her parents; husband Stephen; and sister Marlene.

June is survived by her daughter Melissa (Marcus) and grandson Andrew (Victoria) Rickett, all of Plentywood, MT; son Michael and grandson Kenny Martell of Devils Lake, ND; brother Myron (Joan) Irwin, Minot; sister Maxine (Loren) Kissner, Gig Harbor, WA; special nephew Craig “Craigee” Dean (Dianne) Irwin; special niece Nikki “Poo” (Irwin) Johnson; niece Netta “Ned” Benton, Devils Lake; nieces Laura, Lynell and Amy in Washington State; several beloved great nieces and great nephews.

A special thank you to the staff and all of Junebug’s “Favorites” at Eventide Care Center in Devils Lake.

Funeral Services will be held on June 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot ND with burial in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Sawyer ND.