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Jim Martin, 81, West Fargo, ND died peacefully surrounded by his 4 daughters on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Bethany on University, Fargo, ND.
James Ellis Martin was born Nov. 10, 1939 in Fargo to Albert and Margaret (McLeod) Martin. He grew up on the family farm South of West Fargo. He attended a country school and graduated from West Fargo High School where he enjoyed participating in sports. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Marlys Rachel Buzick on Sept. 10, 1960 at Community Presbyterian Church. Jim and Marlys were honored to have had the first wedding in the church. They made their home on the family farm South of West Fargo where they farmed for many years and raised four daughters.
His life was always centered on family and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jim was a lifelong member of Community Presbyterian Church. In 1983 he was inducted into the North Dakota Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame. Jim spent many years playing ball on the Horace, Dan’s Oil and Lepird’s ball teams. He loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed sharing this passion with his family and friends. In his retirement years, he and Marlys enjoyed traveling, spending the winters in Arizona where he loved golfing, playing cards, and dice games. He also loved the time he spent in Hettinger, ND where he hunted with his family and friends. Many great memories were made at the “Hilton”.
He is survived by four daughters, Debbie (Marty) Matzke, Lori (Steve) Johnson, Cathy (Tom) Birrenkott and Jill (Wade) Swenson; 14 grandchildren, Brian (Jess) Matzke, Cody (Amanda)Matzke and Amy (Tucker) Bucholz, Darin (Jerrica) Johnson, Holly (Andrew) Eben, Jordan (Maddie) Birrenkott, Taylor (Zak) Birrenkott-Kringstad, Cami Birrenkott, Amber (Josh) Hanson, Ashley and Danielle Swart, Maggie, Grace and Ben Swenson; 13 great grandchildren, Erika, Ryder, Bria and Brynn Matzke, Lauren and Mady Knutson, Declan Bucholz, Serenity and Isabel Spielman, Penny Johnson, Josiah and Nathan Eben, Leighton Hanson; and siblings, Albert (Joyce) Martin and Nancy (Clifford) Cooper; sister-in-law, Renee Martin.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Marlys, brother Gary and parents.
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo.
Funeral: Friday, Jan. 15 at 1 PM Community Presbyterian Church, West Fargo with visitation one hour prior.
(The service will be livestreamed on the church's website (www.cpcwf.org) . It will also be available here on our website starting at 4 pm on Friday.)
Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
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