Martha Lou Midkiff

On January 23, 2021, the world lost Martha Lou Midkiff (née Lukenbill). She succumbed to complications from COVID just a month after losing her husband of 60 years, Larry Michael Midkiff. Martha was a woman of tremendous energy, deep caring, and an unshakable belief that practically anything was possible, or at least worth trying. Whether as a social worker, a therapist, a business owner or a school counselor, she touched many, many lives. It was not surprising to find her rescuing children from dangerous situations, being a fierce advocate for elderly patients ensuring they got the help they needed, guiding young people to make critical decisions about their future, counseling couples and families struggling to live better lives, or even showing people with a fear of flying how to take their first flight and discover new freedoms. She even rescued wild baby birds, building a walk-in aviary in our back yard. Martha loved people: to talk with them, laugh with them, and to find out all about them. She could make friends wherever she went because she listened, and she cared. In the short time since her passing, so many have come forward to tell stories of how she helped them, how they will never forget her, and their awe at the great love she shared with Mike, her husband. After many years starting and growing a successful business, she sold it and went back to college to become a school counsellor so that she and Mike could travel the world, teaching in schools in Brazil, Pakistan and Senegal. Taking advantage of already being overseas, they also traveled every chance they got, seeing over 50 countries, and shopping for bargains in every one of them. After returning to the US, she continued to provide therapy in Georgia, and in her beloved Clearwater Beach, Florida. About a decade ago she began showing signs of dementia, so she and Mike moved back to their hometown of Indianapolis. In July of 2020 she entered memory care where she never stopped caring about her friends and family who were so important to her. Martha leaves behind her two sons, Gregory Midkiff and Andrew Midkiff, two daughters-in-law, Kelle Midkiff and Ruth Leney-Midkiff, as well as four grandchildren, Kathryn, Susan, Charles and Nate, and five great-grandchildren, Bella, Ava, Ivie, Aksel and Indy. She also leaves behind a whole host of family, friends, as well as former students and patients who will miss her tremendously, and never forget her smile, her laugh, and her caring heart. Because of COVID, we will have a virtual memorial service for Mom on Saturday February 6th at 1:00 pm EST. We hope to have a more fitting memorial for both Mom and Dad where all can come, once the danger from the pandemic is past. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtceiopzksGNwtEVeXn8lTcC63r05zWSl6 To attend the memorial service, you only need to follow this link and it will ask you to enter your name and email. You will then get a direct link to the service sent to your email account for use on February 6th. In the service we will say a few words about Mom and then we will invite anyone else who wishes to speak to share their thoughts. Afterwards you’re welcome to stay in the call and chat.