Martha Beaver Wilcoxson

Martha Ann (Beaver) Wilcoxson known to her friends and family as "Marty," was born in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1929 and passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 29, 2015, at the age of 86 in Paso Robles, California. She was the devoted wife of John G. Wilcoxson who passed away in April 2001 and is survived by her two sons, John and Meredith Wilcoxson and two daughters Sydney Liptak and Sarah Wilcoxson. She had ten grandchildren: Karene Wodiske and Marshall, Hayley and Makenna Wilcoxson, Cody Wilcoxson, Carrie Ellison, Meredith Baker, Cassidy Liptak-Winter, Miles Denby, and Bailey Denby. She also had eight great- grandchildren: Beau Wodiske, Zage and Aivie Ellison, Kellan Denby, Kaiten Liptak and Asher Winter, Aaron Pokrajac and Emery and Ashton Baker. After completing his training at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, "Marty's" father Meredith Beaver and her mother, Della moved the family to Redlands, California, where he founded the Beaver Clinic and "Marty" graduated from Redlands High School, in 1946. Members of the same social circle, the Beaver and Wilcoxson families had long been friends. However, college called, and Marty attended two years at the all-girls Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where, unbeknownst to their parents, Marty and John, who was matriculating at the University of Missouri, resumed their friendship. Returning to California, Marty graduated with an English degree from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, in 1950. Finding themselves back in Redlands, Marty and John dated before eloping to Las Vegas in 1951. John ran a successful insurance brokerage business in Redlands. Wilcoxson and Davis Insurance and in the few hours spared from raising their children, Marty did volunteer work for the Assistance League and Trinity Episcopal Church while living in Redlands, Calif. After relocating to Templeton, Calif., Marty volunteered with daughter Sarah in the 'Amigos De Los Ninos' group in Paso Robles. Marty was also a dedicated volunteer at Twin Cities Hospital for more than 20 years. Marty and John also ran a successful business "JW Arabians," breeding, raising, and showing Arabian horses and, joined by their daughters Sydney and Sarah, traveled all over the Western U.S. competing in horse shows, with Marty becoming a respected judge certified by the Arabian Horse Show Association to be qualified to judge horses and riders in her own right. Marty could be seen on TV every New Year's Day in full Arabian costume riding "Rasaud" in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, for 25 years. Marty became a member of the Screen Actors Guild so that she could be featured along with their horse in a commercial for the Chevron Oil Company. Marty and John retired to Templeton, California, in 1979 where they built their dream ranch, continuing to raise Arabian horses, cows and sheep, and Australian Shepherds along with "J Dub," her beloved Dachshund mix. Her most recent 4 legged love was Mandy, another dachshund who has gracefully been adopted by an angel, Melissa. The family wishes to thank Central Coast Hospice, Annie her nurse, Dr. Bourne and the devoted caregivers at Brookdale in Paso Robles for their personalized, excellent care provided to Marty during her last few years while residing at Brookdale Senior Assisted Living Center. There will be a Memorial Celebration of Marty's Life at the Templeton Presbyterian Church at 610 South Main St., Templeton, Calif., on Wednesday, January 6 starting at 11:00am. Arrangements under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home, Paso Robles, CA.