Martin Suko was born January 25, 1916 in Alfred, ND the son of Reinhold and Christina (Obenauer) Suko. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in nearby Alfred. He helped on the family farm from a very early age.

On February 8, 1940 he married Helen Verna Fisher, the daughter of Albert Sr. and Anna (Hochstetter) Fisher. It was a rare, beautiful day for February  with temperatures near 50 degrees. A perfect start to their long and wonderful life together. They had five children. Jim, Jane, Jerry, Elaine and Darlene. He was excited and so happy with the birth of each child that he even lost his way while driving Helen to the hospital when Jerry was born. He had to make quick visits with the neighbors along the way telling them about the birth of each child. Dad loved his wife and family and was so proud of them and would do anything he could for them.Martin and Helen farmed in the Alfred area for quite a few years, lived for a short time in Jamestown and then moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota where they lived for 10 years. They grew cucumbers for a pickle factory as well as farming and working for a local farmers co-op. They then returned to ND living for a brief time in Kensal before moving to Jamestown to the home he and Helen shared for more than 53 years. After (and sometimes while farming) Dad worked in various aspects of construction and repair of vehicles and farm equipment He was very proud of having mixed all the mortar for the brick work to build The Westminster Building at Jamestown College.He began working in the propane field first with Jamestown Gas and later Farmers Union Oil. He did gas delivery but he also installed heating and cooling equipment, stoves, water heaters. There wasn’t a type of HVAC equipment he couldn’t install or diagnose. He retired at age 65 but his reputation brought him back to Polar Gas where he worked for another 10 years. He converted vehicles to run on either propane or gas before others even imagined that possibility. He just had amazing abilities in so many fields and he taught that to his sons and other others that wanted to learn.

Martin taught his children the meaning of a hard day’s work and a strong work ethic having missed very few days of work throughout his many years, but he also taught them the importance of family. Family and friends were always welcome to visit and if they were traveling through the area were always welcome to spend the night in the small house which always seemed to have just enough room. Together with Helen he helped serve up delicious meals and lots of great conversation to all who visited over the many years. They also enjoyed playing cards and board games and even went dancing in their younger years. Martin was quick with a joke or a funny story to lighten the day…and tease..oh yes, and he also taught that to his boys. His sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Mom and Dad took great pride in having a bountiful garden which produced enough to feed their family, to can and freeze and to give away to others. Few kept a nicer lawn and kept their sidewalks cleared of snow in the winter. He was up and cleaning it off before others even knew it had snowed! It was just really important to take care of his home and property and that he did!

Dad was preceded in death by his beloved Helen in 2014; his son Jim in 2015; his parents Reinhold and Christina; brothers Gotthilf, Edwin and Sam; his sisters Amelia, Bertha, Louise, Rose, Dorothy, Minnie and Ruth; and beloved grandsons Jerome and Jay Suko.

He is survived by daughter Jane with husband Jim McCarroll; son Jerry with wife Linda; daughter Elaine with husband Louis Hovda; and daughter Darlene with husband Scot Nething; and daughter in law Mary Ann Suko.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Gerald Suko, Melissa Braun, Joseph Suko, Marceen Hernandez, Maralee Giudice, Melaina Cox, Jennifer Hooker, Janna Keever, David McCarroll, Lori Olsen, Kris Mikkelsen, Bob Suko and Robyn Nething.At best count there are 39 great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.

We are profoundly sad to be saying goodbye but at 103 he was tired and had done great work while he was here. We love you, Dad. Rest easy now.

Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, October 3 at Eddy Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, October 4 at Good Shepherd Chapel at Ave Maria Village with Deacon Tom Geffre and Pastor Stephen Kyner officiating.  Burial will be in Highland Home Cemetery.