Driven by her independent spirit, Martha ventured from home to join the Sisters of Saint Francis to pursue a career in nursing. In 1951 with her diploma in hand, Martha headed out to save lives. However, her career was cut short when she met and fell in love with her late husband, Victor “Vic” Robert, of 57 years over romantic letters and long train rides.
Leaving nursing behind, Martha built a home for the six children she had with Vic on the family ranch in the lower Yakima Valley. When she wasn’t running the household and raising her kids, she spent her free time raising orphan lambs.
Martha was a devoted member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and could often be seen attending Masses with various members of her family. Never a fan of flying, she explored the country she loved via a much loved Buick with her husband, visiting family throughout Western America, always lodging at their favorite hotel chain, Best Western.
Martha is survived by her five sons: Robin and Jean of Sunnyside, Randy (Jamie Walther) of Yakima, Michael (Lynda) of Canby, OR, David (Liz) of Grandview; sisters, Mary Ann (Dwain) Schrank of Yakima, Florence French of Grafton, ND and Lillian Verstrate of West Linn, OR; brothers Hiladore (Pauline) Osowski of Grafton, MD and Leo (Maryann) Osowski of Moorhead, MN; 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her only daughter, Vickie (Robert) Mesmen, and her brothers, Ambrose and Hilary, both of Grafton, ND.
Martha requested a small family funeral. The family wishes to thank all those who loved and cared for her throughout her 88 years of life.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 11, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. A vigil will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 9:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am concluding services will be held at Calvary Cemetery.
To share a memory of Martha please visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.
