Martha Joann was born to John and Rose Marie (Langer) Simons in Valentine on June 5, 1939. Martha was the youngest of nine children and the only one born in a hospital.
Martha started her education at the Sparks school. Her family moved to Valentine in 1946 where she attended 2nd through 8th grades in the building that now houses Centennial Hall. Martha’s freshman year of high school was at St. Mary’s Academy in O’Neill. The next two years were at the Aspirant School in Alliance. At the end of those three years she graduated from St. Agnes Academy in Alliance.
Martha attended two years of college at Regis College in Denver, CO. The following year, she taught school at the Con Heelan ranch. She finished her college education at Chadron State College graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education in the summer of 1961.
On August 12, 1961, Martha was united in marriage to a lifelong friend Darrel Earl at the Catholic Church in Chadron. To this union three sons were born, Ted Walter, Casey John and William Lee. Darrel and Martha were married 38 years before his death in 1999.
Martha was a ranch wife and homemaker. She spent her son’s “growing up years” as secretary of the school board in Sparks for 18 years. She was active in her church as a lector and a six year member of the Parish Council. She was a member of VFW Auxiliary, Post 5138 serving as president for two terms. She was also active in 4-H and a member of the County Extension Board for three years.
Martha enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved cooking and spent her “spare time” crocheting and reading.
Those who preceded her in death were her husband Darrel. Her parents John and Rose Simons, grandparents Simons and Langer as well as brothers, Waldo, John, Bob and Jerry Simons, Sisters Rose Marie Murray, Delores Storms and Rita Simons. Also her 10 Foster in-laws.
She leaves to mourn her passing her children Ted (Val) Foster, Casey Foster (Jaida Woodward), William (Becky) Foster. Grandchildren, Laura (Paul) Menning, Carmen (Keith) Erickson and Kristal Rose Foster. Great grandchildren Rowdy and Branch Menning, Nataly, and Nicola Erickson and one brother Nick (Betsy) Simons. A host of nieces, nephews and friends. Also surviving are step grandchildren Shevawn Steelman and her children Haley, Hunter, Hayden and Joshua and Jonathon Lash. Katie (Brandon) Ormesher, Eli , Olivia, Gage and Delilah and Kris Lowe.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. Burial followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of service arrangements.
