Ida Marie (Stellwag) Martin, one of ten children, was born April 27, 1934, to Hans and Clara (Faatz) Stellwag. She was born and raised on the Stellwag family farmstead south of Gregory, SD. She attended school at Pleasant Site Grade School until the 8th grade at Carlock, SD, and later graduated from Gregory High School in 1952. She was employed at Buches Grocery throughout high school. On December 28, 1951, she was united in marriage to William (Bill) Russell Martin at Pierre, SD, and to this union three children were born.
Ida and Bill lived with John and Alvina Martin for a period of two years before moving to the current Martin farmstead south of Burke, SD, where Ida lived up until the time of her death. Ida always enjoyed farming and caring for her animals. She especially loved calving season.
Ida owned and operated the Fabric Inn in the old Marys Caf building in Burke, SD, from 1972-77. She was employed by Burke Community Memorial hospital for 26 years in various departments: housekeeping, laundry, and dietary. Ida was a lifelong caregiver serving in this capacity for numerous family members and friends throughout her life. She was known for her excellent seamstress duties of which many in the community benefited, and also her one of a kind baking skills of which many a pear pie was shared. She took pride in carrying on her mothers tradition of German cooking, preparing dishes such as prunes and noodles and kuchen. Ida was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a lifetime member of the Gregory Legion Auxiliary.
Ida was confirmed in her faith at Peace Lutheran Church in Carlock, SD, in 1948. She was a devoted Christian until the time of her death and a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD.
Ida received eternal rest on June 1, 2009 at the age of 75 years, 1 month, and 5 days at Burke Community Memorial Hospital, Burke, SD.
Ida was preceded in death by her parents: Hans and Clara; husband William (Bill); sister Mata Johnson; brothers: Leonard and Harold Stellwag; great-grandson Michael Storjohann; eleven brothers and sisters in-law, four nephews, and one niece.
Ida is survived by her three children: Deborah (Wes) Serr of Gregory, SD, Jackie (Lyle) Frerichs of ONeill, NE, and Randy (Lynell) Martin of Burke, SD; two grandchildren: Maggie (Brent) Storjohann of ONeill, NE, and Dr. Brooke Martin, DVM of Manhattan, KS; four great-grandchildren: Zachary, Brett, Kaitlyn Storjohann and Mason Musfelt; sisters: Esther Shattuck and Ruth Vavra of Gregory, SD, Margaret Austin and Dorothy Montoya of Spokane, WA, Freida (Paul) Iden of Kenasaw, NE, and Martha Martin of Chamberlain, SD; brothers in-law: Howard Martin of Burke, SD, and Kenneth Martin of Chandler, AZ; many nephews, nieces, and their families.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 10:30 AM at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a prayer service on Thursday at 7:30 PM at the church. Visitation will be on hour prior to both services at the church.