Martha Mary Ratzer

Martha Mary Ratzer, beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend, passed away on the evening of February 27, 2026, surrounded by the family she cherished above all else. After more than 12 years of fighting cancer with extraordinary courage and grace, Martha left this world as she lived — with those she loved most by her side.

Martha was born in December 1962 in Woodstock, Illinois, the daughter of William Cowlin and Geraldine Carey Cowlin. She grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and then earned her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and her Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. A deeply loyal friend, Martha had a rare gift for maintaining lifelong connections with friends from every chapter of her life — a quality that even shaped her path to San Diego, where a visit to a college friend revealed the city that would become her forever home. She built a distinguished career — first at Price Club and then at Intuit — before making the decision that defined her proudest chapter: stepping away from her professional life to devote herself entirely to her family.

That family was made complete when Martha and Jim Ratzer, who had also grown up in Crystal Lake, rediscovered each other at their 20th high school reunion. What began as a reunion became a love story. Jim adored Martha from the moment they reconnected, and his devotion to her only deepened with every passing year. They married in 2003 and made their home in Solana Beach, California — a home filled with love, laughter, children, and the particular warmth that Martha brought to every room she entered.

Martha was predeceased by her father. She is survived by her husband Jim; her beloved children Mark and Claire; stepdaughters Lauren and Laine; her mother; her siblings William (Norvyn Uytiepo), Sarah (Steven) Towne, Bridget, and David; her mother- and father-in-law, Connie and William Ratzer; and many adored nieces and nephews. She was also a proud and loving dog mom to Bailey.

An avid golfer and tennis player, Martha was an active member of Lomas Santa Fe and Pauma Valley Country Clubs, where she built lasting friendships. But it was at home — as a wife and mother — where Martha truly came alive. That role was not simply something she embraced; it was the purest expression of who she was. Her feisty spirit, deep honesty, and unwavering Catholic faith left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her. She was, at her core, a woman who loved her family fiercely and completely, and who was loved just as fiercely in return.

Her family wishes to express profound gratitude to UC San Diego Health, Dr. Wolfgang Dillman, Dr. Sandip Patel and Dr. Patel's entire team at Moores Cancer Center — for their exceptional care over the years. The family also extends their deepest gratitude to the friends and neighbors of Solana Beach, whose boundless generosity and unwavering support were a true gift. Time and again, without hesitation, this remarkable community showed up when it mattered most.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UCSD Foundation / Cowlin Family Cancer Immunotherapy Monitoring System Development Fund, 9500 Gilman Drive #0940, La Jolla, CA 92093.