Martin "Marty" Lee O'Neil

On December 23, 2024, Jesus said, “Come my Son” and Martin O’Neil entered heavens gates.
Martin Lee O’Neil was born on August 6th, 1945, in Deaconess Hospital Grand Forks, ND to Stella Hildre and John Leland O’Neil.  He arrived home and lived his entire life in the same farmhouse south of Fordville, ND. Marty was baptized, confirmed and a member of the Fordville Presbyterian church. 
Marty attended Fordville Public school, graduating in 1964 (along with his sister Pat and future brother-in-law Roger).  While in school he participated in choir, football, track (shot put) and drama club.  
Upon graduation Marty worked a number of jobs.  He drove the school bus for Fordville school, he hauled garbage for the city of Fordville and he hauled livestock in his first cattle truck.  While he was working these jobs, he farmed the land and raised cattle and hogs.
His love of driving led him to get bigger and better trucks for livestock hauling.  He hauled cattle, sheep, hogs, and even buffalo to West Fargo, Minot, Barnesville and Devils Lake.
Marty enjoyed the sport of curling where he was the skip of many teams.  He met his future wife Karen while she learned the sport.
Karen Thuen and Martin O’Neil were married October 6, 1979, in Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland, ND.  They settled on the family farm and soon had a family of 5.  Matthew, Katie, and Amy.
Besides Marty’s farming, cattle raising, and livestock hauling he served on many boards.  He was Elkmount Township Chairman, having just retired after 49 years.  Also, Fordville Coop Board, Church Board and Fordville Improvement Board.
If you asked Marty what his hobbies were; he would have answered hay making, trucking and eating ice cream.  He was happiest when he was Pie Baking, Christmas baking, making homemade ice cream, doing puzzles, playing card games with grandkids and teaching tractor driving.
Marty is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen; His son Matt, Fordville, ND; his 2 daughters Katie (Kelley) Dukart, Fargo, ND.  Amy (Jonathan Thompson) O’Neil, Thompson ND.  His 3 precious grandchildren – Adam, Noah, Stella Dukart and his grand pup Finn.2 sisters: Joan Solie, Minneapolis, MN; Pat (Roger) Robertson, Lincoln City, OR.2 brothers:  Bob (Jo Rae), Maple Grove MN; Tom, Mansfield, PA; and many cherished nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.  2 brother in-laws: Don Thuen, Portland ND, Gary (Shirley) Thuen West Fargo, ND. Sister-in-law Barb Thuen, Portland, ND her daughter Cassie (James) Bovey, MN. 
Also surviving are Marty’s other kids:  His “pretend” granddaughters: Lily and Sela Roshau, Jenny “girl” Carlson.  The Teiken kids: Kellie, Ryan, Jackie; The Bells:  Angie, Sharon, Travis – The Madson sisters: Heather and Courtney and the Magnus kids: Corey, Callie, and his godchild Carly Peterson and Trevor Knudson.
Preceding him in death are his parents; Leland and Stella O’Neil, in-laws: Sam and Gladys Thuen, his sister Louise Haugen (Palmer), his brothers John (Jack) (Lona) O’Neil and James (Evy) O’Neil; his brother-in-law Emory Solie: his best friend and nephew Larry Haugen. His friend Justin Bell. 
Marty was a man of great integrity, honesty, kindness and love.  We cherish his memory.
FUNERAL SERVICES:  2 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025 in the Fordville Lutheran Church of Fordville.    Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service.

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