To view the recording of the Mass of the Christian Burial, please go to: https://youtu.be/Io-fb5iDK-Y

Betty Lou Martian, 96, of Grand Forks, ND died peacefully at Valley Senior Living (Reeves Community) in Grand Forks on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Betty Lou Halverson was born June 3, 1926, on the family farm in Filmore, ND, the daughter of Helmer and Ellen (Johnson) Halverson. After graduating from Rugby high school, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse until she travelled to California to marry Nick Martian on June 29, 1946, as he was stationed there in the Navy. When Nick was discharged from the service, they moved back to North Dakota and eventually ended up in Minot where Betty and Nick raised 7 children (Vernon, Paul, Marie, Gerald, Pauline, Mariel, and Mary) and fostered a family of eight (Frank, Sue, Mary, Bill, Theresa, Barb, Grant, and Steve). Besides raising children in Minot, Betty worked at Trinity Homes, Prairie Rose, and a private home in East Grand Forks, MN providing nursing care. Betty ultimately retired from nursing and companion care at age 88.

Betty was always caring for someone or volunteering for school or Catholic Daughters church activities. She loved to cook, sew, garden, dance, play bingo, and attend children's or grand children's events. Her heart was tender, especially for babies and little children she lovingly referred to as "little sweethearts." Memories of mounds of christmas cookies to decorate, lefse griddles blowing a circuit, impromptu polka dancing in the kitchen, and a huge kettle on the stove emitting a wonderful smell won't be forgotten.

Betty is survived by her children: Frank Bauer, Sue Mock, Marie (Paul) Joseph, Mary (Mike) Gallagher, Bill (Colette) Bauer, Barb (Merv) Gottschall, Mariel Zeller, Grant (Marge) Bauer, Mary (Mathias) Fontes and Steve (Donna) Bauer; sisters, Georgine Marson and Joyce (Jim) Harrison; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; siblings: Pearl Palmer, Floyd Halverson, Eleanor Bundy, Harriet Ganje, and Lois Bosch; children: Vernon Martian, Paul Martian, Gerald Martian, Theresa Gallagher, and Pauline Apland.

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2022, in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Saturday.