Cleta Martin

AnnaCleta “Cleta” Martin, 90, Bismarck, passed away on August 24, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:30 PM, Friday, Aug. 30, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 520 Raymond St, Bismarck. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 PM. 

Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Cleta was born on April 26, 1934 to Alexander and Clementine (Dauenhauer) Hauck in Richardton, North Dakota. She was raised on a farm. In later years while reflecting on her life, she admitted that she grew up a little spoiled. She had a cat, a dog and a lamb. Cleta even admitted that her sister worked a little harder than she had to! She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Richardton in 1952. 

Cleta attended college in Dickinson and earned a teaching certificate. She taught in rural schools for a number of years. She spent most of her career as a receptionist for the Bismarck Tribune until her retirement in 1998. 

On August 9, 1955 she married Gordon Martin in Richardton. Together, they resided in Bismarck and raised six children. Gordon passed away in 1999. 

Cleta was involved in auxiliaries for the Catholic Daughters, the Eagles, American Legion, VFW, and St. Alexius. She enjoyed being a part of the Good Neighbors Group and the social aspect that brought. She enjoyed going bowling weekly and being involved in pinochle groups. 

Her Catholic faith was very important to her. She prayed the rosary daily and was a member of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and Universal Living Rosary Association.

Cleta is survived by her daughters, Michelle (Jayme) Berube, Devils Lake, ND, and Delnita (Shawn) Kraenzel, Hanahan, SC; sons, Craig (Nancy) Martin, Chalfont, PA, Monte (Leslie) Martin, New Braunfels, TX; DeLonce Martin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Gordy (Wendy) Martin, Minot, ND; 13 grandchildren, Melissa and Ben Martin, KoDee Martin, Joshua Garcia-Martin, Katelyn and Zachery Berube, Alex, Austin, and Brandon Kraenzel, Ashleigh Armstrong, MacKenzie Porter, and Kaylee Olafson; eight great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Roger (Donna) Martin; and sister-in-law, Grace Martin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; parents, Alexander and Clementine Hauck; sister, Josephine (Leonard) Hilzendager; and brother, Peter (Elsie) Hauck.