Marie Magdalene Martin, 89, of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, February 5, 2011 in Essentia Health St. Mary's, Detroit Lakes, MN.

Marie was born February 3, 1922 at home in White Earth, MN, to Edward and Florence (McArthur) Belsvik. She grew up on the White Earth Indian Reservation and attended country schools in the Waubun, MN, area. Marie entered the work force at the young age of 15. In August of 1939, Marie was united in marriage to Lewey Ahles. Together they lived on his family's farm and had five children. Upon moving into Waubun, Marie joined the Reservation Business Committee (RBC), the precursor to the White Earth Tribal Council. Marie often went way beyond her job duties helping people get to places and to obtain the things and services needed. She spent 13 years representing the Ojibwa people as a member of the RBC. During this time, she even traveled to Washington, D.C. Marie also worked for a brief time at the Job Corps. In 1958, she landed the job that really got her on her feet. She began working for the Rural Minnesota CEP, where she worked for 13 years as a job developer/trainer helping individuals on and off the reservation prepare for, find and retain employment.

On April 25, 1975 Marie married Bernard Martin. They made their home in Callaway, MN. When Bernard's health began to fail, he moved into a nursing home and she moved to Mahnomen with her son, John, where she lived until the time of her death. Marie worked at the Shooting Star Casino in the gift shop for 17 years before retiring in January of 2010.

Marie's interests were fun and creative for her and others. In the early years, she enjoyed fishing, ricing, hunting and maple sugaring. Over the years, she made many crafts and sewed clothes, decorative items and quilts. Marie loved playing cards, going to casinos and playing bingo, which kept her active and sharp. Marie was a member of the Callaway Christian Mothers, the Waubun Catholic Society of Foresters and the Ogema VFW Auxiliary. All her activities centered on her love of family and friends.

Marie is survived by three sons: David (Violet) Ahles, Mahnomen, John Ahles, Mahnomen, Tony (Colleen) Ahles, Waubun; one daughter, Mary Lou Chromy, Callaway, MN; one step-daughter, Jeanne (Terry) Teiken, Detroit Lakes, MN; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild born on February 2, 2011; two brothers, James (Adina) Peterson, Tucson, AZ, and Halfton (Patsy) Pederson Jr., Inver Grove Heights, MN; and sister-in-law, Tillie Duval, Anderson, CA. Preceding Marie in death were her parents, step-father, Halfton Pederson; husbands, Lewey and Bernard; a daughter, Ruth (Strommen) Miller; a grandson, Bruce Ahles; sons-in-law, Benny Chromy and Hal Miller; three brothers: William Duval, Harold Pederson, and Clarence Pederson.

Blessed be the memory of Marie Magdalene Martin.