Katherine Kay "Katie" Martz's Obituary
Big Rapids – Katherine Kay Martz, 87 of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
She was born on May 31, 1937, in Big Rapids, the daughter of Ray and Pearl (Young) Winter. She was the fifth of 7 children: Marion E. Mursch (Dick), Ellen M. Murphy (John), Frank E. Winter (Monai), DonaLyn L. Winter (Ray), Diane Bongard (Gene), and Stephen D. Winter (Cheryl). Katie graduated from Big Rapids High school in 1954. Not long after her graduation, she met her husband Alvin Wayne Martz, and they were married on June 3, 1955. In 1959, they moved to Fairbanks Alaska where they raised their five children. Alvin was a skilled carpenter, and Katie was a loving wife and mother with a flair for culinary skills, gardening, sewing, quilting, and crafting. She made beautiful quilts for friends and families throughout the years.
Katie was employed by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska from 1972 through 1990 where she was appreciated and recognized for her research, competence and dedication. She discovered an uncharted ice island which was named Katies Flow Berg. Katie, Al, and their family enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, boating, and numerous other outdoor activities including time spent at their family cabin. High risk Adventures were a common occurrence, and usually resulted in creative fixes and humorous story telling.
Katie and Al’s faith in God were always evident and they were early members of the Zion Lutheran Church and active in community faith driven activities. Katie and Al moved back to their hometown of Big Rapids in 1995 where they continued their fellowship in their church, St. Peter’s Lutheran and their community. They hosted many gatherings at Katie’s family farm, where the traditions continued with love and laughter. Katie’s love of family, her strength of character, compassion, kindness, and helping hands, even in the face of adversity, has left a lasting impression on all she’s known and loved.
Katie is survived by their five children, Scott (Andrea), of Fairbanks Alaska, Linea Laird (Mike), of Bremerton, Washington, Amy Hunt (Tim) of Fairbanks, Alaska, John Martz (Susie), of Big Rapids, Bill (Jane) Martz of Palmer, Alaska; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Katie has many surviving extended family members, including many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Al on March 12, 2015, and her grandsons Logan Martz and Horace Voorhees.
A Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, October 18, 2024, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Big Rapids. Memorial contributions in Katie’s name may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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