Martha N. Bjoraker

Martha Nancy Bjoraker, 92, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2011 at the Homestead Hospice House. She was born Dec. 31, 1918 in Limon, Colorado, an identical twin to Sylvia Bjoraker. Martha and Sylvia were born to Christine (Horak) and Emmanuel James Kabela. At preschool age, their mother passed away. Because their father was working for the railroad, he needed someone to care for his daughters; thus, they were adopted by Rose (Horak) and Jacob Haberman in Owatonna, MN. Martha attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1939. Prior to marriage she moved to Rochester, MN where she worked as a clerk in W. T. Grant Co. Martha married Russell Davis in 1946 and from this union their daughter, Rosemary, was born. They later divorce in 1949 and Martha then moved back to Owatonna. Upon her return, she worked at her brother-in-law's (Adolph) store, 'Bjoraker Sport Shop' until it closed in 1967. On June 11, 1951 she married Olaf Bjoraker, a fireman and Adolph's brother, at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. Upon their marriage, Olaf adopted Rosemary as his daughter. Olaf passed away on October 16, 1980. Martha & Sylvia always held close the double relationship their families shared. Martha enjoyed gardening, the Bjoraker family cabin on Roberd's Lake, family camping trips to the state parks, and vacations to Duluth, Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota. During retirement years, she and Olaf traveled to Texas and Arizona during the winter months. After Olaf passed away, Martha worked for 14 years as a foster grandmother with handicapped children. In 1997 she began living with her daughter and family. She loved helping with her daughter's childcare business. Martha's passions were helping her family in any way she could, making lefsa and poppy seed biscuits, gardening, and crafting of all kinds. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church (since her confirmation age) and enjoyed participating in Altar Guild & Women's Circles. Later in life, she welcomed pastoral visits to her home. Martha moved into The Brook Assisted Living of Owatonna in 2010. Grama Martha will be remembered as a generous person and a gracious hostess. Thank you, Grama, for all you did for us. Martha is survived by her daughter, Rosemary (& Peter J.) Johnson, Owatonna; grandchildren, Richard Russell, Owatonna; Curtis Russell, Claremont; Eliesa (& Judson) Johnson Nolan, Minneapolis; great-grandson, Matthew Curtis Russell, Owatonna; nieces Mary Ahrens, Owatonna; Shirley (& Benton) Nesmith, Hawkins, TX; nephews, Glenn (& Jovita) Bjoraker, St. Croix Falls, WI and Donald (& Gladie Bjoraker, Hawkins, TX. She was preceded in death by her birth parents, Christina (Horake) & Emmanuel James Kabela; adoptive parents, Rose (Horak) & Jacob Haberman; husband, Olaf Bjoraker; twin sister & her husband, Sylvia (Haberman) & Adolph Bjoraker; brother and sister-in-law, Emmanuel James & Ruby Kabela, Jr. The family wishes to thank the caring and helpful staff and volunteers at the Brooks, Owatonna Hospital, Homestead Hospice House and Trinity Lutheran Church.