KATHLEEN ‘KATHY’ MARTIN

CLARE — Kathleen “Kathy” Marie Martin, 71, of Clare, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at her home with her husband Joe by her side. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 14th, at 10:30 AM at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Manson. A visitation will also be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery near Clare. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a Vigil at 7:00 PM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home in Fort Dodge.

Survivors include her husband Joe of Clare, sisters Tracy (Jay) Collins, Tricia (Blain) Messerly, brothers Bob (Julie) Wille, and Roger (Tracy) Wille, sister-in-laws LuAnn (Curtis) Nunn, Denise McCormick, Rae (David) Shepherd, Victoria Trujillo, brother-in-law Mark Martin, numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Heather.

Kathleen Marie Wille was born on May 23, 1950, in Clare, the eldest of 5 children to Robert and Margaret (Blunt) Wille. Kathy graduated from Northwest Webster High School in Barnum. She worked at various jobs including working at Smithway Motor Express, White Transfer and Storage, and most recently at the Western Edge near Humboldt. In 1998, after a short 10-year courtship she was united in marriage to Joe Martin at St. Matthew’s Church in Clare, and they made their home on a farm near Clare. Her favorite job was being a homemaker, taking care of her dogs and horses. She would also help Joe with bookkeeping for his business. Kathy lost the love of her life in 1996, when her daughter Heather died from cancer. Her second love was her family, especially the little ones. A family tradition she would always enjoy was shopping for the perfect Christmas ornament usually beginning in August. Kathy will be forever missed. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.