Martha MacIver Parker, 81, Minot, died in her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.

Marty was born March 11, 1927 to John and Elma Busch in Underwood, ND. She graduated, at the age of sixteen, from Underwood High School in 1944 and attended Taylor University in Indiana. She was the first homecoming queen at Taylor University in 1948 and she graduated in 1949 with a bachelor of arts degree in education. While at Taylor she met and married Leigh "Mac" MacIver on August 9, 1949. Marty and Leigh lived in Kokomo, IN; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Upland, MI while he pursued his career with the YMCA and she taught school. They moved to Minot in 1962 where they raised their three children, Dan, Jane and Tim. Leigh died in 1971 and she married Willard "Bud" Parker in 1986 in Hawaii. Bud died in 1994.

Marty taught school for many years at Minot State College and then in the Minot Public School system. While she taught many different subjects, she most enjoyed teaching Freshman English at Central Campus until her retirement in 1989 following thirty years of teaching.

Marty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Minot where she was a former deacon, taught church school, sang in the choir and was a member of a church circle. She also served on the board of directors of the Taube Art Museum and Minot Art Association. She was a voracious reader and had a special appreciation for all of the Arts.

Most people remember Marty for her kind, helpful nature, listening ear and keen sense of humor. Friends knew that they could always rely on Marty to lend a hand, offer comfort in a time of need or impart some of her well earned wisdom. She enjoyed spending time visiting with her friends or partaking in an occasional Friday "girls night out" . She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and could be seen packing for distant travels to Alaska, Colorado and Washington.

Marty is survived by her three children: Dan (Colleen) MacIver of Parker, CO, Jane MacIver (Erik) Borg of Moses Lake, WA and Tim (Karla) MacIver of Healy, AK; grandchildren: Carl and Chad Borg; Dakota, Sheyenne and Mackinzy MacIver; and Katie and Luke MacIver; sisters: Alice Hanson of Bismarck and Mable Bontrager of Lewisburg, PA and brother: John Busch of Las Vegas and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marty was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and brothers Edward and Art.

Service: Friday, February 27, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church - Minot.
Visitation: There will be no reviewal, however friends may sign a register book on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to the Taube Art Museum or Trinity Hospice.