Martha Allison

Martha C. (Kroeker) Allison, better known as Marti to family and friends, was born March 7, 1928 at Corn, Oklahoma to parents, Henry and Helen Kroeker. There were eleven children, starting with the oldest: John, Tillie, Elvin, Ann, Lydia, Marie, Walter, Bertha, Vivian, Martha, and Robert. Walter passed in infancy. Marti grew up on a farm about three miles outside of Corn. Life was simple; however, it was a difficult childhood in the 30's as the dust storms and the depression were occurring. Marti attended a two room school house until the summer of seventh grade, when she moved with her family to a farm in Elk City, Kansas. Marti has written about this time as, "I'm not sure I had a clue what was going on, but we accepted life as it was handed to us (as this was the expectation and culture of what we did in Oklahoma)."

Marti graduated Elk City High School in May 1946. She stayed home for about a year, then in 1947, she went to Omaha, Nebraska to a business school. After Christmas break, Marti moved to Wichita instead of going back to Omaha; she lived with Alvin and his wife, Tillie.

In 1950, Marti met Charles (Chuck) Allison. They had a short courtship and were married on December 24, 1950 in the Methodist Church in Elk City, KS. After the wedding, they lived in Wichita until Chuck was stationed in Fort Benning, GA, as he had been drafted into the army in September 1950. Marti followed Chuck during his basic training and returned to Wichita during his deployment.

Chuck and Marti were blessed with three children; Scott in June 1954, Jacque in October 1956, and Linda in April 1959. During this time, the family lived in Okmulgee, OK, Coffeyville, KS, and Wichita, KS.

In 1964, Marti returned to work and worked for Commercial Union Ins Co until they closed the Wichita office in 1985. During this time, Chuck had gone on disability in the late 70's. His health deteriorated and he passed on January 8, 1982. Marti then worked for IMA until she retired in April 1994. She did not stay retired for long as she worked part-time as the bookkeeper for her church until she decided she was ready for full retirement.

Marti stayed active before and after retirement. She traveled with family and friends; one fond trip was abroad to Israel where she visited many of the historical locations that Jesus traveled during his life. Marti was a skilled sewer and crocheter; she made many items for her family, including baby blankets, aprons, pillows, cloth Christmas bags, and story books to name a few. She was an avid reader and visited the library often. She also spent her time studying the Bible, attending church functions, and sharing her faith with her children and family.

Survived by her three children: Scott and Donna Allison, Jacque and Joe Griffith, and Linda and Randy Woods; grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Shane Beeler; Samantha and Mike Carter; Amie and Jason Nees; Jenny Laufer; Jeremy and Emilie Griffith; Michelle Allison; Megan and Michael Sullivan; Justin and Kelsey Allison; Jennifer and IC Collins; Kenneth Evans; Ryan Woods; and Rustin and Allie Woods; twenty-five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Martha will be held Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a funeral service Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM with a graveside service immediately to following the service in the Garden of Devotion. All at Resthaven Mortuary and Gardens of Memory, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Marti's honor to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S Market St, Wichita, KS 67202.