Judith Andora Stenersen Martinsen

Judith Andora Stenersen Martinsen (Bestemor) Judith Andora Stenersen Martinsen returned to her Heavenly Father on March 24, 2007 due to conditions of age after a long and fruitful life. There she was greeted by many who preceded her including her parents, husband, daughters and granddaughter. Judith was born on March 28, 1909 in Oslo, Norway. She immigrated with her family to the United States in 1927 and became a citizen in 1941. After she and her family immigrated to the U.S., she lived and worked in both New York and Utah. During her life she worked as a baker and as a nanny, but her primary vocation was as a wife and mother. As a young mother during the depression, she understood the value of hard work and self reliance. She always found a way to help those in need, even when it meant going without. She and her family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while in Norway. As a young child in Norway, she had many experiences that strengthened her testimony and paved the way for her to set the example for generations to come. She was an exceptional seamstress and skilled in needlepoint, crocheting and knitting. She was married to Parley Alfred Martinsen on August 12, 1933 in Salt Lake and they were sealed together with their two daughters (Betty and Shirley) in the Salt Lake temple in April of 1948. She was a charter member of the Sons of Norway in Utah and the founder and 1st president of the Auxiliary Club Blaaveis. Much of her life focused on serving others and she struggled when she found herself later in life depending on others. She was grateful to friends and family who spent many happy hours helping her near the end of her life. She grew to love Frankie, Ashley and others of Hospice who helped her as her body began to fail her. Later in life, she spent hours sharing many stories with her grandchildren who will cherish them always and will be forever influenced by her life. While she will be missed by those still here, we are grateful and a little envious of the reunion that she is having with those who preceded her. Our lives will always be changed for the better for having known her and as a result of the lessons she taught through example and story. She is preceded in death by her parents, Julius Severin Stenersen and Martha Elisabeth Hofstetter, her husband, Parley Alfred Martinsen, her two daughters and their husbands, Betty and Clinton John Dansie and Shirley Ann and Lawrence Glenn Kirby and her grand daughter, Vickie Lynn Dansie. She is survived by her sister, Astrid Lydia Stenersen Hall and her grandchildren, Gary (Liz) Kirby, Doug (Holly) Kirby, Wendy (Dave) Jones, Deborah Kirby, Katherine (Dennis) Rupp and Elizabeth (Tony) Varanakis. She was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be held on March 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary located at 2350 East 1300 South. A viewing will be held on March 28th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the same location. Friends may also call on the family prior to the funeral from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary on March 29th.