Larry "Swede" G. Martinson, 74, of Bowman, ND, passed away on February 25, 2014 at the West River Medical Center in Hettinger.

Funeral Services for Larry will be on Saturday, March 1, 2014 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial at a later date in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD.

Larry "Swede" Martinson 74 of Bowman died at West River Hospital Tuesday February 25th 2014. Larry was born on March 26, 1939 in Westhope, ND to Lawrence Martinson and Katherine Fraser. He served his country in the US Army at Fort Bliss TX for 2 years and 3 more years in the reserves.
Larry did some farming, but spent the majority of his career working in the oil industry. In 1967-1968 he worked in off shore drilling in CA. He loved trucking and also worked on the rig. Work brought Larry to Bowman where he met Vivian, the love of his life.
Shortly after meeting Vivian, he was given a job opportunity that would take him to the north slope of Alaska. He was leery about leaving his friends and Vivian but she convinced him to try it out. He went up and worked for 6 weeks and had 2 weeks off. It was then he decided that was a great deal. He started out as a truck driver and worked his way up to the position of supervisor. He worked there for 20 years.
Larry and Vivian were married January 26, 1970. He did not know what he was getting into marrying a woman with 4 teenagers. It was not always easy but he loved them all. He ended up having 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. He loved playing with all his grandchildren and especially the little ones.He really liked to travel. In the summer, Vivian would visit Alaska and they would explore the area and go fishing. He would take his family places like Disneyland, and to the national parks all across the western and central United States. Back in ND, he and Vivian enjoyed pheasant, duck and goose hunting.Larry liked having a dog. He had a black lab that was his hunting dog and over the years he had 2 other dogs, both chocolate poodles both named coco that he loved dearly.
Larry and Vivian lived in Bowman ND, Billings MT, Fountain Hills AZ, Mesa AZ and like good Norwegians retired from Arizona back to Rhame ND. Truthfully, Larry never stopped working. As long as was able, he worked as a pilot car helping with the road construction in Bowman and Adams County. He loved to visit with everyone. He shared his stories, home baked goodies and even his lunch with his friends, co-workers and passersby's.
Everyday Vivian and Larry played cards together. He loved to play pinochle with his buddies. Due to Larry's absence, his pinochle buddies are now interviewing for a 3rd player.
He is survived by his wife Vivian, daughters, Lucille Rae Getz, Nona (Mark) Miller, Janet (Wade) Schaaf, Deanna Curry , grandchildren, Karl (Rehana), Brandy, Roby (Nichole), Alison (Tony), Abram (Leah), Sara (Patrick), Rachele (Ethan), Josh (Courtney), Heather (Royce), Casey (Chance), Sabrina, and Billy Jo (Darci), great grandchildren, Orlyn, Bryke, Eva, Alyssa, Jacob,Joshua, Josiah, Jude, Kariana, Aspen, Dawson, Caleb, Andrew, Keegan, Jason, Luke, Ashlyn, Carson, Jaycee, Brodey, Adyson, Kaylee, Ashley, Cole, Jaxon, Alyvia, and Axton
Sisters-in-law, Darla Grann, Jett Wilkins, brothers-in-law, David Kitzan, Neal Olson and several nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by Mother and Father, Brothers Jack & Jimmy, sister Janice niece Brenda her daughter Joy and granddaughter Danielle.