Martha Jane Martin

Martha Jane Martin, 76, of Bremen, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Community Hospital of Bremen. She was born in Bremen on March 19. 1933, to Oscar E. and Fern U. (Smith) Mutti. On April 13, 1952, she married Ivar Lee Martin in Bremen. He preceded her in death on November 26, 2006.

Survivors include her brother, Stanley E. Mutti of South Bend and nieces Barbara (Michael) Stillson of Bremen and Diane K. Monhaut of Chicago. Also residing in Bremen are her great nieces Staci Hendricks and Misti Hendricks, great-nephews Corky Hendricks and Matthew (Whitney) Stillson, great-great niece Jensyn Enders, great-great nephew Dylan Swanson and, in Plymouth, great-great nephews Zephen and Zackery Xaver. She also cherished her husband's siblings Marjorie (Clem) Shorter, Mildred (Harry) Leffert, June (Nelson) Pittman, Dewey Martin and Lowell (Dee) Martin, all of Bremen and the many wonderful Martin nieces and nephews.

Martha was also preceded in death by her dear sisters Doris (Devon) Pittman and Irene (Ralph) Monhaut, nieces Sandy (Fred) Eby and Ellen Marie Monhaut, nephews Jack Ray Pittman and Michael Eugene Monhaut and brothers in law Dale (Clella) Martin and Walter (Agnes) Martin.

Martha graduated from Bremen High School in 1951 and attended St. Paul's Lutheran School. As a young bride, she accompanied Ivar on Navy assignments in Key West, FL, San Diego, CA, and Norfolk, VA. She often spoke fondly of working at the Frances Shop in downtown South Bend in the 1950s. She then worked for many years as the bookkeeper for Ideal Oil Company in Bremen, a company her father established in 1926.

Martha loved watching the wildlife and tending her flowers at the home she and Ivar built their woods south of Bremen. Visiting with friends, being around young people and working on craft projects, sewing and and canning always gave her great pleasure. Martha baked delicious homemade pies pies for every family gathering. She great enjoyed her friends in the Bremen "Girls 500 Card Club" for 50 years.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 23, 2010, at the Bremen Cemetery Chapel with Pastor Neil Wonnacott officiating. Martha will then be laid to rest between her husband, Ivar, and her Swiss grandparents, Gottlieb and Elise Bandelier Mutti, at the Bremen Cemetery.

In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to the Reins of Life in South Bend; Loveway Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center in Middlebury; Heminger House in Plymouth; the Marshall County Humane Society also in Plymouth; or the organization of your choice.