Three Martineau Siblings Graduate from MSUM
By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal
Published Friday, May 15, 2009
Graduation time for the Martineau family of Fergus Falls will be extra special this year — in more ways than one.
Though not the same age, siblings Susan, Michael and Tanya will grace the stage at Minnesota State University Moorhead and accept their college school diplomas together as members of the graduating class of 2009.
Aside from the obvious reasons for graduation excitement, the triple Martineau accomplishments take on a meaning much deeper than the college diploma itself.
In September, 2008, their mother, Darla passed away after a hard fought battle with colon cancer.
Though Darla encouraged their post high school graduation adventures, which included mission trips and time spent praying and reflecting on what the next steps in their lives would be, the three say it was clear their mother wanted them to earn their degrees.
“We still finished with what she wanted,” Michael said.
Though they didn’t initially anticipate they would all be attending the same school close to home, they agree God had a hand in leading them, allowing them to continue with their studies while being there for their mother and their family at the same time.
“God is still good,” Susan said. “He has helped us walk through it.”
While the accomplishments celebrated Friday will have been made by Susan, Tonya and Michael, they all agree the celebration is more appropriately a celebration of the strength of their family, and the love of their mother.
“She is still there at the finish line with us, because we get to do it as one family,” Susan said.
Susan, 24, will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, Tonya, 21, a bachelor’s degree in art education and Michael, 23, a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“The biggest thing is the strength of our family, being able to do it together,” Susan said. “There’s nobody else I would rather walk across the stage with than with my own siblings right there.”
Also present at the graduation ceremony will be their father, Dave, and sisters, Robin and Christina.
The family will have another reason to celebrate in December, when Robin accepts her diploma from the Minnesota State University, Moorhead, as well.