Martha Jean Sumner

Marti was born September 18, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Clara and Clinton Johnson. She moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1975 and decided to make it her home with her three daughters and husband, John. She was a valued employee at the Fairbanks Daily News Miner where she worked as a proofreader and an obituary writer for 29 years. She loved her job, made plenty of friends and touched the lives of everyone she came in contact with.

Marti was a huge blessing to her children, grandchildren, extended family, and everyone who knew her. Our greatest memories are our huge family gatherings, adventures with Granny, and especially the holidays. Even after leaving her home in Indiana, she remained an avid Indy 500 fan. Marti’s favorite pastimes were cooking, baking, gardening, crafts and crossword puzzles. Most of all, she loved to read and was rarely seen without a book in her hands.

She had a deep love for her children and all of her grandchildren. She was the center of our family and is dearly missed. Marti was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Annie Ingoldsby, and Mary Jane Johnson, brother Tommy Johnson, her late husband Jack Sumner, son in law Jesse Sipho and grandson, Takory Stern.

She is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Frank, Diana Thompson, Jacqueline Stern, many grandchildren, many many great grandchildren, great-great grandchild, and countless people who loved her.

Martha will be laid to rest in Indianapolis, Indiana next to the love of her life, Jack.

In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place no one will ever fill.

And when I say I love you, it has no end…

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapeloftheChimesMortuary.com for the SUMNER family.