Martina Stanek

Martina I. Stanek, 88, formerly of Mandan, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2023, at Fairview/Park Nicollet Hospital in Burnsville, MN with a small group of family members at her side.  Her unexpected departure from this world was due to complications from diabetes and heart failure. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM -6:00 PM Friday at Weigel Funeral Home with a Rosary/Prayer Service at 6:00 PM. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, April 15th at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mandan, ND with Father Fred Harvey as celebrant. 

Burial will be held 11:00 AM Monday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan.

A reception with meal and video presentation will be offered at the Moose Club, Mandan, ND following mass on Saturday.

Martina was born at her grandparents Fleck family farm in rural Solen, North Dakota (southwest of Mandan) on December 16, 1934.  She was the oldest daughter of six kids for Lucas (Luke) Berger and Maria (Mary) Magdalena Fleck.

Martina (Marty as she liked to be called) attended school at Copenhagen School #3 which was near her grandparents home, rural Solen.  She also attended school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Mandan and graduated with a high school degree in general studies.  She followed that by earning a nurse’s aide certificate and successfully working at St Alexius hospital in Bismarck as a nurse’s aide.  She later worked in Mandan with multiple service related businesses.  She spent the bulk of her time mainly being a wonderful mother and a loving wife.

Martina and Donald Stanek were married on June 12, 1954, in New Salem, North Dakota and eventually moved to Mandan where Donald found a job working at the local oil refinery.  They celebrated 57 years in a loving marriage living in Mandan before Don passed away in 2011.  They had six children:  Allan, Robert, Gail, Carol, Antone and Linda.

Martina was preceded in her passing by Donald, both of her parents: Lucas and Mary Berger; and her five siblings: infant Wilbert, Monica (Ray) Vergote, Gene, infants-Joseph, and John Berger.

Surviving immediate family members include all of her children:  Allan and wife Debbie Stanek, Robert and wife Carol Stanek, Gail Stanek and partner Gary Bentz, Carol Stanek-Markel and husband Bob Markel, Antone and wife Melinda Stanek, Linda Stanek and partner Ron Niesche.  She also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother Gene’s family wife Evelyn Berger and family.

Martina loved socializing, playing Bingo and helping others.  She was very generous with her time helping service-based organization like the American Legion, the Moose Club, the Elks, and Christ the King Ladies’ group.  She was an active bowler for many years.  Marty and Don spent many enjoyable days hunting, fishing, and camping with their family and friends, eventually hosting a weekly fish fries in the back yard.  She and Don loved playing pinochle, spades, hearts and other games with their friends.  Her free time included crocheting, reading, sewing, and teaching her many children and grandchildren.

Personal condolence cards may be sent to:
Carol Stanek-Markel
PO BOX 1203
Watertown, SD 57201-6203

Memorials in memory of Martina Stanek may be sent to either:
Abused Adults Resource Center: 218 W Broadway, Bismarck, ND or
Korean War Veterans Association: PO BOX 407, Charleston, Illinois 61920