Esther M. Martin

Esther M. Martin, age 79, of Grand Forks, died Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Valley Senior Living Community in Grand Forks, North Dakota, surrounded by the love of her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, with Father Raymond Courtright officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Esther “Dolly” Mae Goulet was born December 13, 1945, in Langdon, North Dakota, to Edward and Edna (Vondal) Goulet. She attended school and was raised in the Walhalla area. On July 17, 1965, Dolly was united in marriage to the love of her life, Lloyd Martin Jr., at St. Boniface's Church in Walhalla. Together, they moved to Spokane, Washington, for a short period of time until 1966, when they returned to North Dakota, where they grew and raised their family in Grand Forks. During her working career, Dolly dedicated over 15 years to Associated Potato Growers and spent more than a decade at the Dakota Boys Ranch, yet she cherished her most important role as a wife, mother, and grandmother above all.

Dolly poured her heart and soul into her family and church, creating a warm, nurturing environment that welcomed everyone. She could often be found in the kitchen preparing meals or helping those in need. Dolly embraced her matriarch role with unconditional love and joy. She dedicated many hours to cleaning churches and homes, taking pride in her work and ensuring that every space felt like a sanctuary. In her younger years, she enjoyed bowling in leagues with Lloyd, enjoyed the thrill of Bingo games, and found herself lucky in the casinos, always bringing a smile to those around her.

Dolly is survived by her husband of 59 years, Lloyd Martin Jr.; sons, Stacey Sr. (Stephanie) Martin, and Shane (Denise) Martin; daughter, Shanna (fiancé Alan Sherer) Martin; grandchildren, Savannah, Sean, Stacey Jr., Nicole, Shalene, Haley, Jayden, Lindon, and Miya; 9 great-grandchildren; siblings, James (Darlene) Goulet, Phyllis Lafferty, Shirley (Albert) Meagher; sisters-in-laws and best friends, Joyce Goulet and Shirley Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, and family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Edna, and siblings, Orris, Darlene, Lorraine, Robert, Lawrence, and Barbara; and many nieces and nephews and other family members.

Sean Martin, Stacey Martin Jr., Lindon Blue, Trent Goulet, Lonnie Goulet, Chris Guttormsen, David Bond, and Todd Goulet served as casket bearers. Savannah, Shalene, Jayden, Miya, Haley, Neelah, Nadiah, Kobe, and Zola served as honorary casket bearers.