Lavina J. Martin, age 83, of Cambridge and formerly of St. Francis, died December 1, 2020 in Cambridge. No public services will be held at this time.
LaVina Julianna Martin (Riehl)
At age 83, LaVina passed on December 1st, 2020 in Cambridge, MN. At the Rosewood Sr. Living
facility of a short battle with the Covid virus.
She was born in Bismarck, ND. On October 25th, 1937 to Lawrance and Magdalena Riehl and was one
of 7 children. She was raised on the family farm near Carson ND. Where she attended a farm school
until 8th grade when she had to drop out of school to care for her ailing Mother for years with the help
from local Nuns., whom also helped her to pursue a lifelong career as an LPN Nurse. Graduated from
Breckenridge MN. School of Nursing. And her first job was in Rapid City, SD., Then moved to Hazen,
ND, working at the Hazen Hospital floor and Surgery Dept. and later at the Hazen Clinic, both for over
35 years, and later on in life as a Home Health Nurse in Mandan and Bismarck, ND.
LaVina was always busy, sewing, cooking, baking and canning. She joined numerous groups, She was
a long time member of the Happy Homemakers in Hazen, ND. And was a Mary Kay Consultant for
years and a Member of the Catholic Sisters in Bismarck, ND. And an Honorary Member of St. Francis
Seniors group, St. Francis, MN. And was always on the go and loved music and dancing.
She was also known for her wonderful German cooking and fabulous tasting desserts.
In 2004 her daughter and then,son- in- law Joe Godich moved her to St. Francis, MN. To be close to
her grandson Mitchell Godich, who was the light of her life.
Her marriages: approx. 1959 to Earl Andel, 1964 to Lyle Reimers, 1982 to Kenneth Ganske and 1996
to Henry Martin.
LaVina is survived by her son, Merlyn T. Reimers of Las Vegas, NV., Her daughter, Sylvia R. Godich
and fiance’ Jay Lillion of St. Francis, MN., her Grandson, Mitchell C. Godich (Ashley) and Great
Granddaughter, Alayna R. Godich of Cambridge, MN. Sisters Dorothy Fergel of Modesto, CA.
Emma Loeb of Bismarck, ND., and Sister-in-law Joan Riehl of Mandan, ND.
LaVina was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, John, Adam (Sonny) and Theadore (Tex) Riehl
and 1 sister, Mary Blotske.
LaVina’s wishes are for creamation and to be buried by her Mother Magdalena Riehl in Carson ND. In
2021 or later.