Martha Hlebechuk, 95, Fairfield, passed away Sunday, November 18, 2018 at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson. Martha’s Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Fr. Joseph Evinger as celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service.
On June 2, 1923, Martha and her twin sister, Elsie, was born to Karl Enzi and Sophie (Scherkorsky) Enzi near Antelope. At a young age, due to family circumstances, Martha joined the family of John and Katie Enzi, and was later joined by her brother, Roger and sister Edna.
Martha grew up in the Hebron area and graduated from Hebron High School in 1943. She held various jobs throughout her life including teacher, telephone operator, cannery, and civil service.
She met the love of her life, Walter, at a dance being held at the Highway Inn in Dickinson while he was home on leave from the Navy. They corresponded throughout World War II and married on November 11, 1947 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church. The newlyweds lived and farmed in Billings County throughout their married life and raised six children.
Martha served as a 4-H leader, a eucharistic minister at St. Peter Canisius Church, and a volunteer for the annual Hunter Supper held in Grassy Butte. She was also active in the Germans from Russia society.
Martha spent many hours outdoors tending to her gardens and flower beds with her protective dog, Barney, at her side. In the fall, she enjoyed canning her produce. Some other past times of Martha were embroidery and reading. She loved baking homemade buns, pies, and Christmas goodies and sharing those while sitting at the kitchen table visiting with family and friends. She was collector of angels.
Martha enjoyed trips to Dickinson and going out for lunch. She also enjoyed reminiscing about her life with her grandchildren. Martha loved and cherished all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Martha is survived by her children; Donna (Tom) Miller, Madison, Wisc., Paula (Rod) Riehl, Boise, Idaho, John, South Heart, and Rebecca (Darrell) Schwindt, Dickinson; daughters-in-law, Carla Hlebechuk, Killdeer and Simyra Hlebechuk, Homer, Alaska. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; her twin sister, Elsie, Manteca, California; sister-in-law, Shirley Enzi; and special friend, Sylvia Hartford. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, on November 27, 2008; sons, Clint and Jim; her sisters, Erna Gruebele, Louella Dimond, Leona Fanseca; brothers, Paul Enzi, Albert Enzi and Walter Enzi.
