Gertrude “Gert” E. Martin, 102, of Elkhorn, died Dec. 26, 2018, at Lakeland Health Care Center.
She was born Sept. 15, 1916, on the family farm in Seymore Corners, which is located between Platteville and Darlington, to the late John and Anna (Howe) O’Connor. Gert would drive a sleigh with horses and do work around the farm.
She graduated with the Class of 1933 from Darlington High School. She was united in marriage to Rueben Martin on Oct. 1, 1940, in Seymore Corners. Rueben died July 17, 1991.
Gert worked many jobs growing up. After moving to Elkhorn in 1946, Gert, Rueben and Rueben’s brother, Lyman opened Martin Brother’s Meat Market in downtown Elkhorn. After selling the meat market, Gert, Reuben and Lyman opened Martin Brothers Sentry Food Store of Elkhorn. She worked as a secretary for University of Wisconsin Extension service for more than 20 years, after retirement she was a chaperone with Jones’s Bus Service, a job she held for more than 20 years as well. Gert served as chaplain for the Elkhorn VFW auxiliary, and as co-founder and director of Walworth County Achievement Center, now known as V.I.P. Services.
She is survived by her two sons, Lawrence W. (Faith) Martin of Melbourne Beach, Fla., and Thomas G. (Elaine) Martin of Elkhorn; six grandchildren, Rob (Trish) Edwards, Sheri (Ernie) Southers, Kristine (Barry) Silberstin, Thomas B. Martin, Molly Martin and Carrie (Eric) Diamond; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ann Hollrith of Grafton; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Rueben; her daughter, Mary Ann; and her siblings, Mary Virginia O’Connor, Marjorie Voelkel, Dorothy McComb and John O’Connor.
Memorial mass will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church 107 W. Walworth St. Elkhorn, with the Rev. Oriol Regales officiating. Inurnment will be at Roselawn Memory Gardens Town of Delavan. Visitation will be at church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Memorials may be made in Gert’s name to: V.I.P. Services 811 E. Geneva Street Elkhorn.
Online guestbook is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com Arrangements completed by Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Elkhorn.
