Martha Braaksma

1924 - 2013

Martha Braaksma went home to be with her Lord early Monday morning, Nov. 4, 2013 at the Churchill Retirement Home. She was born Sept. 9, 1924 at home, west of Amsterdam, to Frank and Martha Sinnema.

She attended the Barnhart School for grades one through eight. The school was then closed for lack of students. She then went to Manhattan High School for six weeks. She lived her whole life in Gallatin County.

On March 5, 1945, she married the love of her life, Joe H. Braaksma. Together they raised five children. She loved her children, grandchildren, and especially her beloved great-grandchildren. She liked to bake and sew, and was known for her delicious pies and goodies, and the beautiful quilts she sewed for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many others.

She was a life-long member of Manhattan Christian Reformed Church.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, of 61 years, Joe; brother, Norman F.; sister-in-law, Anne; brother-in-law, Cornie Vander Molen and grandson, Craig Braaksma.

She is survived by son, Joe A. (Judy), children, Vickie, Joe D. (Amy), great-grandson, Joe W., Don; daughter, Marla (Ev) Cope, children, Chad (Clarissa), great-granddaughter, Carter; daughter, Jennifer (Mitch), great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Harrison; son, Doug (Ren), children, Greg (Erika), great-grandchildren, Clara, Hannah and Holter; daughter, Beth (Glen), great-grandchildren, Dougie and Charlie, Bonnie; daughter, Karen (John), children, Stephani (Darin), great-grandchildren, Kyanna and Isaac; daughter, Mary (Kurt), great-grandchildren, Andrew, Garrett and Olivia; daughter, Julia (Nick), great-grandchildren, Grace and Landon; son, Jonathan (Robin), great-grandchildren, Tristan, Quincy and Dawson; son, Rick (Heidi), children, Justine (Ryan), great-grandson, Ezra, Rob and Darren. Her sister, Edith Vander Molen and sisters-in-law, Barb (John) Cok and Trudy Braaksma also survive.

Visitation will be held at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6 and Thursday, Nov. 7 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Manhattan Christian Reformed Church. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. at Churchill Cemetery. Memorial services to follow at 11 a.m. at Manhattan Christian Reformed Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Manhattan Christian School Foundation or Manhattan Christian Reformed Church.

Special thanks to the Churchill Retirement Home and her Hospice care-giver, Matt.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service, www.dokkennelson.com.