Alice L. Martin

Alice L. Martin, 95, of Goshen died Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Goshen Hospital.

She was born April 10, 1925 in Hubbard, Oregon to Chauncey and Lomie (Detweiler) Kropf.

On November 3, 1946 she married Roy Martin in Hubbard, Oregon.  He preceded her in death.

She is survived by six children, Darlene Dintaman of Goshen, Maxine (Joe Fretz) Martin of Lakewood, Colorado, Marilyn (Jay) Shetler of Phoenix, Arizona, Marjorie (Barry) Weaver of Bloomington, Illinois, Ronald (Joy) Martin of Minot, North Dakota and Galen (Karyn Angell) Martin of Eugene, Oregon; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Kauffman; three brothers, Floyd, Ellis and Lester Kropf; and a son-in-law, Carl Dintaman.

Alice was a member of Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen.  Her years of employment included cooking in a school cafeteria and clerical work at Mennonite Mutual Aid, now known as Everence.

A transplant from Oregon at age 16, Alice’s heart found its true home on the North Dakota prairie. In her quiet way, Alice’s hospitality spoke volumes.  She and Roy had an open door for friends and strangers alike.  Delicious meals often ended with her “legendary” pies, which had the power to convert dessert nonbelievers.  The gardens she planted provided for the family, and she preserved the bounty in quart jars that transformed the “fruit room” into a colorful work of art.  An excellent seamstress, she pieced hundreds of comforter tops for her family and Mennonite Central Committee.

Alice and Roy loved to travel and stay connected to their scattered family and friends.  Their love for these folks was generous and unwavering.  She was a loyal friend, making regular phone calls to folks from all decades of her life.  She was a keeper of the memories—stories and genealogy could keep conversations going late into the night.

She lives on in the lessons she taught us – always extend hospitality, give love, being passive-aggressive never goes out of style, sing while you work, and never be afraid to laugh until you cry.

Due to the Covid pandemic, an online memorial service is planned.

Cremation will take place with burial in Fairview Cemetery, Surrey, North Dakota at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-9989, www.mcc.org or Waterford Mennonite Church, 65975 State Road 15, Goshen, IN  46526, www.waterfordchurch.org .

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com .