Martha Jean Head

Martha Jean Head Martha Jean (Halverson) Head, a retired kindergarten teacher in the Clover Park School District, died April 23. She was 91. Martha was born June 16, 1919, in Whittier, Calif., and grew up in Lonepine, Mont., where her father homesteaded and operated a general store. She graduated with honors from the University of Montana in 1941 with a degree in sociology. Martha began her career as a social worker in Clarkston, Wash., and then moved to Seattle to attend graduate school at the University of Washington. She became a child welfare caseworker for King County. After her marriage to Morris Head in 1948, Martha traveled around the world to his stations as a US Army officer. They lived in the Philippines and England before finally being stationed at Fort Lewis. Martha returned to college when her children were young and earned an education degree from Pacific Lutheran University. She taught kindergarten at Greenwood, Custer and Lake Louise elementary schools before retiring in 1982. Martha was a member of Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood for many years, serving as a deacon and playing in the bell choir. She was active in the Presbyterian Women Associa- tion. She was also a longtime volunteer at the Lakewood Food Bank. Martha was an avid swimmer and walker. In her sixties she took up hiking in the Cascades. She cared about children, animals and those in need. She loved her rose garden and the ocean shore. Martha was a good and gentle soul and she will be greatly missed. In the last decade of her life, Martha lived at Laurel House assisted living and the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community where she received loving care. Survivors include four children, Morrene Nesvig (Jonathan), of Tacoma; Douglas Head, of Lakewood; Pamela Head (Ric Ghirardini), of Bellingham; and Nick Halverson (Kelly) of North Bend; a sister, Esther Hull, of Tucson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. The family plans a private graveside memorial service.