Rosemary (Lemer) Martens, 93, of Ross, ND, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at her farm home South of Ross, ND.

Rosemary Martens was born March 19, 1932 to John M. and Dorothy (Volk) Lemer on their family farm north of Drake, ND.

Rosemary was raised and attended country school in rural Drake and then graduated from Drake High School. Following high school, she attended Minot State Teachers College. She taught school in several places before her last teaching job at a country school in Brookbank Township on a hill overlooking the Martens Ranch. This is how she met Franklin!

Rosemary married Franklin D. Martens at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church on January 9, 1960, in Drake. Rosemary and Franklin farmed south of Ross where they raised their five children and built their life together. Rosemary and Franklin were married for 64 years.

Rosemary enjoyed gardening, canning, raising chickens and selling eggs to her many customers. She enjoyed watching her apple trees blossom and grow to harvest, and she left no apple unused. She looked forward to seeing crocuses in the spring. She enjoyed her sunflowers and hollyhocks and the smell of dill and lilacs. She enjoyed watching the wildlife that came around the yard, especially the birds and bunnies.

Rosemary loved to bake and cook, always collecting and reading new recipes. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting making quilts and afghans for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and friends. She looked forward to reading the newspaper daily, especially enjoying the Family Circus comic. She was active in the community as a 4-H leader and judge, a Cub Scouts den mother, and she served for many years as the clerk of Brookbank township. Rosemary was a member of the Tuesday Twelve Homemakers Club and remained a Homemaker until the Homemakers association dissolved. She was an active member of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Rosemary had a sharp memory and was known for always remembering birthdays. She cherished her neighborhood friends of past and present and enjoyed visiting with all her friends in the community. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved staying connected with family and friends and took genuine joy in seeing them whenever she could. This was especially the case with her many nieces and nephews, along with their children and grandchildren. They knew they were always remembered by her.

Rosemary is survived by her five children, Mark (Lisa) of Cooperstown, ND, Annette of Bismarck, ND, Gary of Ross, ND, Steven (Tamara) of Stanley, ND, and Bobby (Christie) of Ames, IA; eight grandchildren, Brenden, Zackary (Ashley), Isaac, Rebecca, Norah, Lucas, Peter, and Henry; and three great-grandchildren, Tucker, Alaina, and Bennett; sisters, Dorothy Reiger of Williston, ND and Margaret (Michael) White of Waite Park, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin; her parents, John and Dorothy (Volk) Lemer; her sister, Magdalena (Anton) Sander; her brothers (and their wives) Dennis (Beatrice), Michael (Elizabeth), John, Edward (Opal), Joseph (Delores), Anton (Rita), Lawrence (Katherine), and Peter (Monica); brother-in-law, Joseph Reiger; and seven nephews.