Martha Jane Szarka

Martha Jane Szarka, 73, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Wilkins Nursing Home in Duncan, Oklahoma. She had previously lived at West Wind Assisted Living in Marlow, Oklahoma.

Martha was born Sept. 18, 1951, in Vine Grove to her loving parents, Jim and Jimmie Szarka. She lived most of her life in Kentucky. She graduated from North Hardin High School in Radcliff in 1969. She went on to Western Kentucky University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art, but then decided to become a nurse. She got her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Spalding University in Louisville. She continued her education to earn a master's degree and worked for the VA Medical Center in Louisville as an RN for 35 years before moving to Oklahoma. She enjoyed sewing, designing clothes and she was very artistic and creative. She also enjoyed skiing with friends in the winter, playing tennis and going to the gym. She adored and cared for her three loving Labs, Tillie, Elsa and Luci, through her adult life.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Jimmie.

She is survived by her brother, David Szarka, and his wife, Sherry, of Duncan; her two nieces, Heather Szarka of Port Wing, Wisconsin, and Amy Szarka of Noble, Oklahoma; her aunt, Mary Guthrie of Dayton, Ohio; as well as many cousins and friends. She also is survived by the wonderful staff at West Wind Assisted Living, who cared for her for 11 1/2 years.

No services are planned at this time.

Callaway Smith Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services in Marlow were in charge of arrangements.