A "celebration of life" service will be held tonight for Sarah Martinsen, the North Dakota State University student killed during a spring break service trip in Florida. The service for Martinsen is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Memorial Union Plains room.
Martinsen, a junior majoring in sociology, was killed when she was struck by a motorist March 16 while jogging in Pensacola, Fla.
A native of Minot, N.D., Martinsen was in Florida as part of a "Pay It Forward" service trip involving the NDSU chapter of Students Today Leaders Forever. The group, which included 40 members from NDSU and two from Minnesota State University Moorhead, was at a stop on a six-city tour. During the trips, students participate in service and leadership activities, learn about social issues, build relationships and make a commitment to continued action when they return home.
Jon Okstad, executive commissioner of the Congress of Student Organizations for NDSU Student Government, helped organize the memorial service. "We want to honor and celebrate Sarah's life. She gave so much to others," Okstad said. "We want to remember happy times of the past."
Okstad said the memorial service will include recollections from family members and close friends, followed by an open microphone for comments from the audience. In addition, a video slide show will be displayed.
"Sarah was a very warm-hearted and caring individual," Okstad said. "When she would walk in, she would light up a room. She had a caring, warm heart."
Martinsen, 21, was membership chair of the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and a member of NDSU Sociology Club. She was the daughter of Wayne Martinsen, Minot, and Debra DeWitz, Minot.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sarah Martinsen Memorial Scholarship, through the NDSU Development Foundation.
For more information on the memorial service, contact Okstad at (701) 741-7604.