LAURA MARTIN

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LAURA MARTIN On May 7, 2011, a beautiful Saturday morning a few days after her 80th birthday, Laura Martin left this life. For the last several years she lived in Buffalo, Minnesota. Living in Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba, Laura's parents, Ole Isfeld and his wife Helga had ten children: Alex, John, Aurora, Violet, Hilda, Anna, Paul, Laura, Oliver, and Ed. Laura was born on May 3, 1931. In 1953 Laura married Ron Martin, who, along with her parents and siblings Alex and Hilda preceded her in death. Laura Martin always loved and valued her family. She was an adventurous woman who loved to travel, and most loved to travel to see members of her family. Family members knew that when she arrived she would have gifts to share, but it was her loving warmth and the fun she brought that family most looked forward to sharing with her. She enjoyed playing cards and she played with wit and with skill. In her life she drank a glass of sangria in a pub in Reykjavik, Iceland and a cup of tea on Victoria Island; she played the slots in Vegas, rode a tram to the top of Sandia Peak in New Mexico, and rode the train to Glacier National Park, crossing the border with a couple of daughters to be inspired by the Canadian Rockies. She loved animals, reading, walking and socializing with her family, and those loves live on in her children and grandchildren. Prior to her retirement Laura worked for many years in the accounting departments of banks in Winnipeg, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. She felt real satisfaction balancing large accounts to the last penny. After retiring, Laura found great joy in volunteering, and over the years generously gave of her time to work for Head Start, the Senior Center, food pantry and the Buffalo Hospital. Her volunteerism was recognized by both Presidents Bush and Obama. She will be remembered by her loving family: children Barbara (Mark) Smith, Rhonda (Mark) Pollack, Deborah (Rick) Townsend, Karen (Mark) Swart, Wendy Fulmer, Ronald (Marla) Martin and Laura Tilley (Neil Jenkins), along with 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Memorials can be sent to the Buffalo Head Start, to the Buffalo Senior Center or to Sunrise of Buffalo Commons. A memorial service will be held for Laura Martin at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 14, at the Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Avenue, Buffalo, Minnesota. A visitation will be held at the Peterson Chapel Saturday, May 14, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 12, 2011