It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Martha Kral on Sunday, September 23, 2007 at Hillside Village in Salmon Arm at the age of 86.
Martha was born on July 9, 1921 to Olga and Gustav Reiter at Winkler, Manitoba. She came to Enderby, BC with her family in March, 1929, where she attended school in the big “brick schoolhouse”.
Martha met her husband, John Kral at a house party and on June 18, 1938, they were married. They settled into country life in the Trinity Valley.
Their daughter, Jeanette was born in 1940; followed by a second daughter, Grace, in 1942. In the late 1940’s, the family moved to the Spallumcheen
area where the girls grew up.
After raising her family, Martha went back to school completing her high school graduation through night school. This was followed by grade 13 and a year at Notre Dame University at Nelson. She then worked as a substitute teacher and in the hospitality industry.
In the 1970’s, Martha and John moved to the Vernon area where she remained until moving to Salmon Arm in 2005.
Martha was a talented artist and a gifted seamstress. She was also an avid reader and loved children. She enjoyed traveling, particularly to visit family in Florida, and enjoyed many adventurous road trips.
Martha was predeceased by her husband, John; her daughter, Grace Phillips; and her brothers, Leslie and Dan Reiter.
Those mourning the loss of Martha and celebrating her life are her daughter, Jeanette Henschell, Salmon Arm; three grandchildren, Pam Henschell, Vancouver, Dan (Sherilyn) Henschell, Coquitlam and Katherine (Mark) Cleary, St. Petersburg, Florida; son-in-law, John Phillips; sister, Joyce Phillips, Mulberry, Florida; brother, George (Iris) Reiter, Enderby; six great-grandchildren, Saje Henschell, Jessica Heal, Jonathan, Kyle, Matthew and Katie Cleary.
A private remembrance was held at Bowers Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 with cremation to follow. A celebration of life service will be held in the spring of 2008 in Enderby, BC.
Condolences and remembrances of Martha are appreciated and may be sent to
sympathy@bowersfuneralservice.com
Arrangements were in the care of Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium, Salmon Arm.