Loraine Luella Martindale

Loraine Martindale, 94, of Fargo ND, died Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Hatton Prairie Village Nursing Home in Hatton.

Loraine Luella Gierke was born April 7, 1923 in Deep, ND to Rev. William and Lydia (Wolfgram) Gierke. The family moved to Hannover, ND in 1938 where Loraine graduated from New Salem High School in 1940. Her education was not over, however, and she went on to Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE in 1944 to pursue a teaching degree. After graduation Loraine taught in parochial school but eventually left to pursue clerical work in Bismarck, ND.

In Bismarck, Loraine rented a room from Marge and Red Tressler. The Tressler's took on the role of matchmaker and introduced Loraine to Thomas Archie Martindale in 1950. After a short, but special courtship, Tom and Loraine were married on December 10, 1950 at Hannover, ND.

As an NDSU Extension Agent, Tom's job required the new couple and their growing family to move often. They had brief stops in Beulah, Lakota, Grand Forks. In 1965 the Martindale's were finally able to settle in Fargo, where they remained through their retirement.

One of Loraine's greatest joys was her family. A wonderful homemaker, she cooked, baked, sewed and gardened, and was a 4-H club and Cub Scouts leader. She also enjoyed her retirement in Mesa, AZ, traveling, square dancing, and hardanger needlework. And Loraine also loved her desserts. "Just a little something sweet", she'd so often say with a smile.
The Martindales were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fargo. Church was very important to Loraine and she made sure the family never missed a Sunday or Advent or Lenten service. She served as Sunday School teacher and was active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Loraine was a loving, positive person. When asked what her favorite time of her life was, she replied, "Whatever time of life I was in." Her smile and "grandma" wave will be greatly missed.

Loraine is survived by her husband, Tom; sons, Tom W. (Sue) Martindale, San Diego, CA; Kevin (Karen) Martindale, Boulder, CO; daughter, Camille (Tom) Kouri, St. Paul, MN; daughter-in-law, Lori Martindale; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marlys (Wesley) Kunz, Northwood, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Dr. Don Martindale; sisters, Irene Henke and Elenore Byers; brother, Kenneth Gierke; and granddaughter, Carin Martindale.