Franklin Delano Martens, 90, of Ross, ND, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at his home in Ross, ND.

Franklin was born March 4, 1934 in his family’s farmhouse near Chowchilla, CA to Wilhelm H. and Mary (Treis) Martens. Franklin grew up farming and ranching – tending orchards, milking cows, and raising forages and cotton – in California’s San Joaquin Valley. He attended school in Chowchilla. After WW2, his parents purchased and moved to a ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Toll House, CA, where Franklin attended Sierra School, helped with the cattle, and talked of hunting rattle snakes and hiking in the mountains. Franklin and his parents moved back to Chowchilla for a short time before buying a farm south of Ross, where they moved in January of 1950. On their way, they got stuck in snow and broke down a few miles from the newly purchased farm, so they borrowed a neighbor’s bobsled to finish the trip. The next fall, Franklin returned to Chowchilla to attend high school, living with his brother and family. He soon returned to North Dakota to operate the farm. Franklin enjoyed North Dakota and often said he would never move back to California.

On January 9, 1960, Franklin married Rosemary Lemer in Drake, ND. Together, Franklin and Rosemary purchased and operated the farm, raised five children, and supported each other, in good times and in challenging times, throughout their 64-year marriage.

Franklin enjoyed farming. He had a beautiful sense of awe and wonder for how seeds sown grew and multiplied into a harvest each year. He said, “There is nothing worse than when people go hungry.” He especially enjoyed combining and stacking hay as well as working on machinery and tinkering in the shop. He never skimped on changing oil or greasing machinery and demanded the same of his children. Franklin tolerated cows (at best), but really enjoyed dogs!

Baseball and airplanes were two favorite pastimes. Watching the Twins (or any team) was time well spent. He enjoyed all sorts of airplanes, but especially loved rides with his son, Steven. Steven flew Franklin over the McClusky Canal, which was his favorite flight. Franklin loved laughing and was witty. A favorite movie was Second Hand Lions, and watching it with him was a hilarious event. He never tired of telling stories, but no one knew which were true! Franklin’s grandchildren could do no wrong. Franklin was thankful for his neighbors, many of whom were like family to him. He did not always understand “what made some people tick”, but he was always ready to help his neighbors and was thankful for all they did for him.

Franklin was a member of The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Stanley, where he was baptized and confirmed. He served as an usher, cleaned the church, folded bulletins, and helped when needed.

Franklin is survived by his wife, Rosemary; 5 children, Mark (Lisa) of Cooperstown, Annette of Bismarck, Gary of Ross, Steven (Tamara) of Stanley, and Bobby (Christie) of Ames, IA; 8 grandchildren, Brenden, Zackary (Ashley), Isaac, Rebecca, Norah, Lucas, Peter, and Henry; and 3 great-grandchildren, Tucker, Alaina, and Bennett. Also surviving are several nephews and nieces.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; 3 brothers (and sisters-in-law), Bill (Evie), Henry (Edith), and Pete (Elouise); and nephew, Herbie.