Michael Martz
Dec. 3, 1972-Sept. 1, 2024
Bismarck
Michael “Mike” Franklin Martz, the son of Frank and Marcia (Sizer) Martz was born on December 3, 1972, in Park River, North Dakota. He passed away suddenly at the age of 51 years on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Sanford Hospital, in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Mike was raised in Rugby, where he attended school, was confirmed at the First Lutheran Church and graduated from Rugby High School in the class of 1991. While in high school, he participated in many sports, including basketball, track and field, and football. He was proud to make the varsity basketball team his freshman year. After high school, he continued his education at Bismarck State studying computer science. He has lived in Bismarck the past 25 years. He worked for an insurance company, at Walmart and one of his favorite jobs most recently was at Planet Fitness. One of his hobbies was bodybuilding, proudly benching 405 pounds. He enjoyed helping others develop their strength.
Mike had many interests, including hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, wildlife and cars. He enjoyed watching all sports, and was looking forward to the upcoming NFL and College Football season. Mike loved people, always wanting to know their story. He had a great memory, always remembering what others shared, and rarely forgetting a name. Once he met you, he considered you his friend. He always had a smile on his face, and with his great sense of humor and jokes, you could count on him to make you laugh. Mike was a kind, gentle man, with a heart as big as he was. He loved animals, his friends, and most importantly, his family and God. He was a man of faith, and it was not only the best friend to his family, but also the glue that bonded them together. We were blessed to have Mike in our lives and he will forever live on in our hearts.
Mike is survived by his parents, Frank Martz, of Rugby and Marcia Forrester, of Mound, MN; his sister, Melanie Martz, of St. Louis Park, MN; aunts and uncles, Kirby (Cheryle) Martz, Charlie Sizer and Mary (John) Higgs; cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Donations can be made in Mike Martz’s honor to the Rugby High School, First Lutheran Church in Rugby, Animal Humane Society, in Bismarck, or the Family of Mike Martz.
Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, in Rugby, with burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby. Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating. Organist: Pam Anderson; Readers: Eric Baumann and Laurie Mikkonen; Casket bearers: Eric Baumann, Nolyn Fueller, Bryant Higgs, Doug Mikkonen, Rob Higgs and Ryan Thompson with Charles Sizer as an Honorary.
Arrangements with Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. AOnline condolences: www.funeralsbyanderson.com.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, September 14, 2024.