Leota K. Martin
Our
beloved mother, Leota K. Martin of Solvang, passed
away February 7, 2008. Leota and her twin sister, Lois, were born November 18,
1919, and were the youngest of nine children, born to George and Carrie Carroll
of Kansas City, Kansas.
After
graduation, she and her sister moved to California. During the war, they both worked for Lockeed as “Rosey the Riveters.”
Once Mom moved to Solvang, she worked at Pea Soup Andersen’s, Ellen’s Pancake House,The Red Barn, Birkholm’s Bakery, Danish Mill Bakery and last as a
volunteer at the Water Wheel Restaurant (Shelbi
Ranch).
She
was a “true” single parent, often working two jobs to take care of her kids.
She not only received Mother’s Day Cards, but Father’s Day Cards as well. She
often said, “I am the richest woman because I have my kids,” which she shared
with her older sister Esther, as she had no children of her own.The
light of her life were her children and her greatest joy were her 10
grandsons. She never missed a baseball,
basketball, soccer or volleyball game. She attended
every school program as well and saw the last grandson graduate from high
school last June.
When
her sister, Lois, passed away, mom took Lois’ daughter Patty, and her family,
under her wing.
Mom
is survived by her daughters and son-in laws of Solvang — Pamela and Bob Johnsen, Candy and Glen Clark; her sons and daughters-in
law, Dean and Diane Martin of Mr. Vernon, Wash., Jim and Diane Martin of Idaho
and Jack Martin of Solvang.
She
also is survived by her special niece Patty and family of Albuquerque, N.M.
Also,
Alexis Walker, a true friend, who even while dealing with her own parents’
health issues, made time and many trips to visit Mom. Mom made every one of her
grandsons feel very special: Bobby and Brian (Janalee)
Johnsen, Ian and Sutton & Carson Clark, Kenny and
Ryan Martin, James and Chuck Martin, Mike Martin and her
great-grandchildren. She also is
survived by her sister, Esther Knapp Elliott.
Our grateful thanks and sincere appreciation
to everyone at the Sovang Recovery Residence and
Solvang Friendship House for the compassionate care given to our mother. She was treated with dignity and respect.
A special thank you to Uni,
at the Recovery Residence whom Mom worked with at the Danish Mill Bakery for
six years. From Terry, Director of Nursing, Jan and
Carrie all the CNA’s, caregivers and special people, (including the french fry delivery and all the
people who visted asked about Mom and shared a smile
— we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Mom
was so used to waiting on people her whole life, it
was very hard for her to be “waited on.”
Dr.
Harbaugh, thank you for your expertise in diagnosing
Mom and being there, not only for Mom but for her daughters, Pam and Candy as
well.
“All
that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Mother.”
Abraham Lincoln
A
memorial service will be held at a later date.