Marion Verona Martin

Marion Verona Martin, 91, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Aberdeen, SD after a short illness.

Funeral service will be 1:30pm. Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Carlsen Funeral Home, Aberdeen SD, with Pastor Derek Baum from Aldersgate Church officiating.

The burial will follow the service at Ellendale City Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen is handling arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and view the recorded service at https://www.carlsenfh.com/

In 1933, Marion was born on a small farm in Coldwater Township, McIntosh County, North Dakota, to Jacob and Flossie (Stevens) Merkel, the thirteenth of their fourteen children. Typical of a farm girl, she had lots of chores. One, starting at age nine, was baking a cake every day for the family meal. Little did she know then her developing talent would later lead to several of her granddaughters requesting her to make their wedding cakes.

Eventually her family settled in Forbes, ND, where she attended and graduated high school. In Forbes, she met her sweetheart, Michael Martin, Jr., married him, and raised four children together. Over the years she developed quite a reputation as a homemaker, cook (e.g., knoephla soup, haloopsi, and kuchen), seamstress, gardener, canner (e.g., pickles!), and craftswoman. Outside the home, she taught at the nearby Spring Creek Hutterite colony, worked at the city’s People Store, and served as a volunteer election official for many years.

Marion was an outgoing and pleasant person. So, as you can imagine, she relished the company of family- both immediate and extended- and friends. Whether a reunion, celebration, or a simple visit, each was an opportunity to renew the bonds of love with those she held dear.

More importantly, she was a woman of faith. Her devotion to His teachings provided the necessary strength and guidance to face challenges over the course of her life. The bonus, apart from being saved, was getting to sing hymns in church.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Patricia Mewhinney; son, Michael D. (Valerie) Martin; daughter Brenda (Dennis) McEleney; son, Gordon (Jody) Martin; eight grandchildren, nineteen great- grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Marion is preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years Michael; her parents Jacob and Flossie; and all her siblings.

In Lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Gideons International( www.gideons.org/donate#) to continue to spread His message.

Lastly, the family thanks the staff at Sinceri Derian Lodge, Avera Home, Bethesda Help at Home, Sanford Hospital, Bethesda Home of Aberdeen, and Avera Home Hospice for the genuine kindness and wonderful care provided to Marion over the last several months.

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