Martha Ellen Elmquist

Vascular Dementia slowly took our Mother, but it could not take the love and devotion we have for her. She left peacefully to travel the heavens from the home she shared with her youngest daughter on January 25, 2022 (on what would have been her late husband's birthday).

Martha was born in Kokomo, Indiana on August 14, 1930 to Mary (Bockover) and Elmer Vierling. When Martha was an infant her parents divorced. She and her mother relocated to Wilcox, Pennsylvania. The first friend this beautiful and charming little 4 year old girl met was a local farm boy named Neil Elmquist who eventually became her husband of 70 years.

As a young girl, she loved to read and was an active member in many clubs. She excelled in school and graduated with honors.

Martha and Neil married on June 12, 1948. They moved to Los Angeles, California in 1949. Over the years, they welcomed four children.

Martha worked for Western Union, two furniture factories, a nursing home and provided babysitting services. Martha once took a realtor course (for personal use) and passed top in the class. She also volunteered for Dorcus (charitable church group) shopping for and delivering groceries to families in need.

She was no stranger to hard work and her hands were never idle. When Neil decided to build a house, Martha worked side-by-side with him while commuting from LA to Ridgecrest on weekends with their four children in tow. They retired and moved to Ridgecrest in 1976.

Martha had a desire to travel and fulfilled that desire through books with the exception of a honeymoon in Washington D.C., a few camping and cross country trips to visit family.

She was very talented and shared those talents with her family. She could sketch, crochet, quilt and was an expert seamstress. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, crossword puzzles, her computer, studying the Bible and caring for animals of all kinds. She especially enjoyed gardening and being outdoors enjoying our beautiful desert while observing the stars, wildflowers, wildlife and petroglyphs.

Martha had a special bond with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren some of whom affectionately called her, GramCracker. She was always there for them as they were her.

Martha was quick witted and had a wonderful sense of humor her timing was usually unexpected making it fun and memorable. She would also surprise family and friends with how "in tune" she was to the world and times we live in.

She was preceded in death by husband, Neil; her parents; Stepfather, Jack Helscel; brothers, Robert, Leonard and Gilbert Vierling; sisters, Vivian (Vierling) Shutter and Helen (Bulach) Taylor, eldest son, Neal Elmquist; grandson, Russell Elmquist and many other beloved family members who will welcome her at the gates of Heaven and it's Dad's turn to open the gate for Mom.

She is survived by eldest daughter, Meris Lueck (Doug), youngest daughter, Hollis Elmquist and youngest son, Niles Elmquist; grandsons Jered Roark; Jerome Roark (Carin), Curtis Ayers and granddaughter, Johanna Labiosa (Raymond) all of Ridgecrest, California; grandson, Jeremy Roark (Mary) of Nampa, Idaho; grandson, Zack Elmquist of Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania; granddaughter, Mariah Dieker (Jody) of Ardmore, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Melody Elmquist of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, thirteen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Martha was always a wife and mother first. She was a selfless, kind and patient woman who was a shining example of true love and devotion. She will be deeply missed and our memories of her will live in our hearts until we are together again.

The family will have a private service at a later date.