Martha Rethmeier, 90

Martha Rethmeier, 90, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Kalispell.

She was born on April 8, 1924, to Frederick and Martha Berndt in Sturgis, Mich. She attended middle school in Sturgis, later graduating at Highland Park High School in Michigan. After high school, she attended the Highland Park Junior College.

Martha married Ronald Bever on Dec. 20, 1949, in Pontiac, Mich. She later remarried to Frederick Eugen Rethmeier on Oct. 31, 1969, in Las Vegas.

Martha possessed an incredible amount of energy and poured her entire heart and soul into ever project she attempted. Throughout her life, she was a mother and homemaker. During her adulthood she became an office manager to Lacy Court Reporting Co., then went on to be an office manager for a trucking company as well. Later in her life, Martha was a hospice volunteer and a senior companion for the visually impaired for many years of faithful service.

She was a member of the Delta Theta Chi Sorority, the Montana Association of the Blind, and a member of the Evergreen Alliance Church.

Martha was a philatelist and enjoyed saving stamps, coin collecting, gardening, card playing, music and was an avid rock hound. She also loved dancing, reading, canning and pets.

Martha was a very loved and truly a giving mother and grandmother to her family. She will be missed by all of her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Martha Berndt; and husband, Frederick Rethmeier.

She is survived by her five children, Margaret E. Magee of Oregon, Christine A. Schlüter of Bremen, Germany, Roger A. Rethmeier of California, Stephen P. Rethmeier of California, and Melodi Gower of Kalispell; along with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

An open house to celebrate Martha's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at Heritage Place Healthcare Community, 171 Heritage Way in Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Martha's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Martha's tribute wall.