Leonard Martin, 88, Fessenden, passed away Friday, July 26, 2013 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford. His funeral will be held Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Fessenden with burial at the Hillside Cemetery of Fessenden. Visitation will be held Monday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden.

Leonard Martin, son of Christ K. And Mary (Rust) Martin, was born May 5, 1925 northwest of Fessenden. He received his education at the Fessenden Public School, graduating in 1943. He began farming at an early age with his father. In 1958 they moved to the former Dick Pritchard farm near Fessenden.

On June 12, 1959, Leonard was married to Alice Bahm at the Mennonite Brethern Church in Harvey. They made their home on the Martin farm and continued farming until their retirement.

Leonard and Alice spent several winters in Arizona. They traveled to many different places with the Alaskan Tour being his favorite.

Leonard accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in his youth. He was baptized and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Fessenden where he was active as an usher, Sunday School superintendent, Deacon and was in charge of the sound system for many years.

He served as chairman of the board of the Baptist Home of Bismarck for three years and served four years as president of the Men's Brotherhood of North American Baptist Conference. He was one of the organizers of the Northern Baptist Association scholarship fund.

Leonard was the first bus driver for the Fessenden School District and continued to drive bus for over 33 years. He was instrumental in starting the Fessenden Booster Club, served as director of the Wells County Historical Society, was a member of the Festival Hall restoration committee, he recorded the local weather for the U.S. government for over ten years and was a member of the Specialist Club.

Leonard is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Alice; one son, Tom (Tammy) Martin of Dickinson; 4 grandchildren, Heidi Allen and Holly (Dennis) Smith of Bismarck and Christoff Martin & Corbin Martin of Dickinson; 2 great-granddaughters, Gabrielle and Olivia Allen; one great-grandson, Ashton Martin; two step great-grandsons, Darnell and Terrell Smith; his twin brother, Dick Martin of Victor, MT; 2 sisters-in-law, Margie Reimche of Harvey and Dolly Reimche of Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Laura and Helen; 3 brothers, Clarence, Tobias and Thomas; 2 brothers-in-law, Ed Stoverud and Emil Lund; and 3 sisters-in-law, Ernestine Martin, Eleanor Martin and Gladys Martin.