Irene Martin

Irene Martin, 89, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 2, 2026 at Eventide Nursing Home with her son by her side after being hospitalized.

Irene was born March 15, 1937. Her life began on a small farm in Gackle, ND. Farming was hard work back then. She was the only girl of Gustav and Lydia Mayer. She had one older brother, Edmond, and a younger brother, Marvin. She shared all the chores with her brothers: milking, picking rocks, shocking wheat and helping her mother plant and tend the big garden. Irene had often said that she was glad when her mother told her that the garden needed weeding, so she didn’t have to go out to the field that day!

Irene would complete all her schooling in the Logan County school district near Gackle.

Irene met Melvin Martin at a dance. This courtship soon turned into marriage, followed by the birth of their only child Michael. They moved to West Fargo in 1957. During Mike’s younger years, Irene, Melvin and Mike belonged to the German Club. They started a band and made great memories playing for gatherings and events. Irene’s remaining 69 years would proudfully remain in West Fargo. Her church would be here, her doctor would be here, her final choice of funeral home would be here in West Fargo.

While her husband Melvin’s career began at Fairmont Foods, Irene began working at a dry cleaner. In the '70s, the two of them began Martins Contract Mail Service. They would deliver mail between the Fargo post office and the Hector airport, 10 trips a day, 365 days a year. Irene had to coordinate holiday meals around the busy delivery schedule. She always figured it out!

Melvin passed away in 1987, leaving a big hole in her life. Irene was working at Davon Press and delivering a small paper called the Midweek. Following the death of Melvin, she would begin her next 12-year venture. Thus began the story of fortitude and loyalty between Irene and her 1989 DODGE TRUCK… “neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloomy night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” That old saying was about mail carriers, symbolizing the dedication to duty regardless of weather. Irene held fast to that old saying. Many miles, her old Dodge odometer surpassing 700,000, many snowstorms, floods, detours to endure. All the while still working at Davon and delivering that Midweek.

Irene loved her neighborhood of 64 years. She was the only original owner on the block. She always cherished that. She loved family, friends, and her garden. The true farm girl never left her as she spent countless hours planting and caring for her flowers and veggies. Irene always planted “more” than enough, so as to have extra for family and friends.

Irene was always a sports fan, but more so later in life. She enjoyed the Twins, the Vikings and the Timberwolves, the Minnesota women’s Lynx basketball and anything NDSU were her favorites!

Irene also had a huge interest in cars. She loved to go to car shows or watch old cars cruise past; she could spend hours looking at “nice” cars!

Irene would always greet you with a welcoming smile and leave with a thank you. As her years were winding to a close, those thank yous became more poignant. Family and friends calling would end by her saying “thank you so much for calling," and a visit would always be followed by a “thank you so much for spending time with me. I enjoyed that.”

Tenacious, dedicated, kind, loyal, loving and caring. All those laughs and smiles we shared with Irene have turned into sadness and tears as we lost a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her son Michael; her granddaughter Alicia; four great-grandchildren, Gracie, Alley, Carter and Cole; several cousins, nieces and nephews; her very best friends Kathy, Ann, Becky Rettig and many more.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin, her brothers Edmond and Marvin, nephew Arnold and many cousins.

The family would like to express our very sincere gratitude for all the care and compassion given to Irene by the staff at Eventide and for the quality of life care given to her by those at Ethos. Hannah Z. and Hannah G. made it possible for Irene to move on peacefully and as comfortable as possible.

In closing, friends and family would like to “thank you” Irene or affectionately known as “Mom” to her son, for allowing us to share your time with us. We enjoyed that too.

Visitation: Visitation will be held Monday, June 8, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral:  Irene’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in West Fargo.

Burial:  Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Fargo, following the service.

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