Obituary: Cynthia Lesmeister

Cynthia Lesmeister

New Rockford, N.D.

Cynthia "Cindy" Ann Lesmeister, 73, passed away on May 7, 2024 surrounded by family in her home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Services will be held at a later date. Honorary bearers will be Travis Lesmeister, Trever Lesmeister, Tressa Lesmeister, McKenna Lesmeister, Ty Lesmeister, Lexi Lesmeister and Cindy's nieces and nephews.

Cindy was born in New Rockford, N.D. on Oct. 20, 1950 to Lorraine Romanoski and John Koch. She grew up on a farm in Cathay, N.D. until she transferred schools her senior year to New Rockford. During this time she lived with her grandma, Rose Romanoski until her parents moved to New Rockford.

After graduation in 1968, she attended Minot State University for a few months before moving to Fargo, N.D. and enrolling in Josef's Professional Hair Academy. Once she decided that wasn't for her, she worked at Bethany Homes in physical therapy. Through the years before moving back to New Rockford in 1971, she worked various jobs.

When she moved home, she worked for her mom and dad at John's Country House and the Credit Union. In August of 1972, she met the love of her life, Marty Lesmeister. Six months later, on Feb. 12, 1973 they married and started their life together. They raised two boys, Travis and Trever.

In 2001, Cindy and Marty moved back to Fargo where she worked at Innovis Health (now known as Essentia Health) in credentialing before moving to Jamestown, N.D. in 2009. Up until her retirement in 2017 she worked in credentialing at JRMC. In the fall of 2017, they started spending their winters in Yuma, Ariz. and have spent the last seven winters there.

Cindy was witty, kind, outgoing, compassionate, and always knew how to put a smile on your face or make you laugh to tears. She enjoyed spending time at the lake with family, going to lunch with friends, Helen and Sandy, pontoon rides, playing dice, card and board games, golfing, traveling and winters in Arizona.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Marty of 51 years; her sons, Travis (Loni) Lesmeister of Tioga, N.D. and Trever Lesmeister of New Rockford, N.D.; grandchildren, Tressa Lesmeister (Austin Johnson) of Carrington, N.D. and McKenna, Ty, and Lexi Lesmeister of Tioga, N.D.; her brothers, Gary (Karen) Cook of Fargo, N.D.; Dennis (Cheryl) Cook of Lakota, N.D. and John (Bonnie Dillon) Koch of Alexandria, Minn.; one brother-in-law, Gerald (Carol) Lesmeister of Weeki Wachee, Fla., and many nieces and nephews.

Cindy is preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Marcus and Leona Lesmeister; four sisters-in-law, June Koch, Marcy Munson, Nyla Roberts and Nancy Lesmeister; one brother-in-law, Darryl Roberts; many aunts and uncles; and her favorite furry friend, Baylor.

Special thanks to Hospice of the Red River Valley for their amazing care and compassion.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford and Carrington, N.D.