Martha Lyn Reading, 69

Our talented, kind, caring, generous sister, Martha Lyn Reading, passed away at the Emmanuel Lutheran Home Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, after a lengthy battle with diabetes and kidney failure.

Martha was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, July 25, 1946. Her parents, John Reading and Georgia Christensen Reading, were thrilled at her birth. Martha attended Russell Elementary School and Kalispell Junior High. Her family moved back to Idaho Falls where she graduated from Bonneville High School and received her associate’s degree at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. She also attended a year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, prior to returning to Kalispell.

She wanted to be a teacher by profession but found that being a travel agent and waitress allowed her the ability to share her gift of giving. She loved waitressing and worked in many steakhouses in the Kalispell area. She also loved the adventure of traveling. She worked as a travel agent in several agencies around the valley and eventually, in 1989, partnered in opening her own travel agency. She was a travel agent by day and a waitress by night for over 35 years.

 Her gift of giving was unmeasurable. She never wanted anyone to go without. She had a soft voice and a big heart. She had a beautiful, warm smile and treasured her association with her many wonderful friends. She loved flowers and loved sharing her many bouquets and baskets with others. Martha will be remembered mostly for her generosity, selfless giving and her kind and caring way.

She is survived by one brother, Ken Reading and Dorothy of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Julie Parmenter of Phoenix, and Sally Forman and Mark of Riverton, Utah; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Georgia Reading; and a brother, Hal “Doc” Wayne Reading.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1360 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. A viewing and family visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Flathead Food Bank.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.