Martha Louise Pfotenhauer

Martha, who went by Marty, was born to Dewey and Mildred Johnson in Chicago, Illinois on February 26, 1932. She and her older sister, Marilyn Sander, grew up in Chicago, and she attended Fanger High School where she first met her future husband, Don Pfotenhauer, a diminutive young 8th grader at the time. It wasn’t until some years later, when, on her way home from Valparaiso University she saw Don hitchhiking and told the guy she was with, “Hey I know that guy! Pull over and pick him up!,” that they began dating. They were wed August 21, 1954, had four children, and were married 66 years until Don passed away March 11, 2021.

After Don was ordained a pastor in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, he accepted a call and they moved to British Columbia. In the spring of 1961, the family moved to Coon Rapids where they pastored Way of The Cross Lutheran Church. Marty loved being a mother and pastor’s wife, and taking care of her home and garden.

In 1964 Don, Marty, their children, and various members of the congregation experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that dramatically changed their lives. In 1969 they founded Way of the Cross Church and moved to Blaine. As they began prayer meetings on Friday evenings, Marty always created a welcoming home with coffee and desert ready and played piano as they sang Scripture songs. Seeing the need to encourage young wives and mothers, she began a Young Wives Bible study.

Together as a couple, Don and she developed vibrant connections with Teen Challenge, and a variety of churches in God’s River, Manitoba, Montana, Idaho, and the Dakotas.

Marty said she was not very adventurous, but she was very devoted to the Lord and to Don, so as his involvement in churches grew, she went with him to churches behind the Iron Curtain, to Africa, Israel, Spain, Australia and Germany.

They also adventured on the Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota where they had a cabin and enjoyed canoeing, fishing, and most of all family.

Marty loved taking care of her family but her love extended out to others including the many people who lived with them – Joy, Joyce, Gus, Marion, Carol Jo, Robert, Britt, Ahnna, Josh, Ester, Isaac, Sam and Jamie, and more. Their home was a beautiful, friendly and open place. Many were invited over for dinner or for a time of prayer or Bible study.

Since Don’s passing Marty has lived at Edgewood Sr. Living in Blaine where she reflected the love of Jesus and the peace she knew and was loved by many.

Marty is survived by her four children Jill (Phil), John (Nadine), Penny (Paul), and Carla (Keith), 13 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

The family of Marty and Don wish to thank the many friends who have shared their lives with us over the years.

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Visitation for Martha will be held Sunday, September 17, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with Funeral Service to follow at 3:00 PM at the Way of the Lord Church - 804 131st Ave. N.E. Blaine, MN.

Any of you who would like are welcome to join us for the Internment at Morningside Gardens (11800 University Avenue NW, Coon Rapids) on Monday, September 18th at 11 am. Tom Stuart will lead us in prayers there.

The family also welcomes all to visit the memorial site which they have set up for Marty at: marty-pfotenhauer.forevermissed.com You will be able to find a recording of this service there as well as a place to read and share tributes, memories, and photos.

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