Marcella Hartman, 86, Killdeer, died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer. Marcella’s Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdeer with Fr. Darnis Selvanayakam, MSFX as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the Killdeer Cemetery, Killdeer. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a rosary and vigil at 2 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Deacon Bob Stockert presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time at the church.
Marcella Lesmeister was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 2, 1925 to Steve and Mary Eva Gerhart Lesmeister. Her father worked for Henry Ford at the Ford Motor Plant in Dearborn, Michigan. They returned to Halliday, ND to live near family, and Marcella being the oldest girl of a large family learned at an early age to bake, cook, sew, wash and iron. She liked school and when she had time to herself, loved to read.
She played forward position on the Halliday High School girl’s basketball team, and was very proud of playing in the 1941state tournament along with the rest of her team.
After graduating from Halliday High School in 1943, she attended Minot State Teachers College. She taught in rural schools for several years until she met Ralph Hartman. They were married on September 23, 1947 at Halliday. They farmed and ranched west of Manning, ND on the Knife River. They raised grain, cattle, large gardens and five children. She had also worked as a bookkeeper for Farmers Union Oil Company for 17 years.
Marcella’s love of history was a passion for her. She was a wonderful storyteller, drawing pictures with her words. She did extensive work on her family history, tracing ancestors across the oceans. She would walk the ridge along the river picking up flint rocks and was fascinated by the craftsmanship of arrowheads.
Her Sunday dinners were amazing, and always topped off with some wonderfully baked goodie.
Spring was Marcella’s favorite time of year when the crocus bloomed. She loved to work outside in her yard and gardens. She had a green thumb, and could coax almost any plant to bloom. Most of all, she had loving arms to wrap around her children and grandchildren.
Marcella is survived by four children, Chris Hartman, Dickinson, ND, Sharon (Marc) Schulz, Riverdale, ND, Nancy Taton, Corinth, TX, and Bonny (Bob) Brew, Killdeer, ND; three sisters, Irene (Joe) Hartman, Billings, MT, Katherine Odermann, Billings, MT, and Bernice Fox, Billings MT; one brother Bill Lesmeister, Rochester, MN; eight grandchildren, Ryan Hartman, Tyler Hartman, Marcy Feyereisn, Aleya McGill, Haley Shrabel, John Gatzke, Casey Brew and Tara Brew; four great grandchildren, Brendon Feyereisn, Haley Gatzke, Natalie McGill and Halla Shrabel. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 60 years Ralph in 2007; one son Lee Hartman; a daughter-in-law Ranae Hartman; and four brothers, Tony, Leo, Fred and Harry Lesmeister.
The family suggests memorials to Hill Top Heritage Foundation.
