Martha Linstrom peacefully passed away in her sleep on October 26th.  She was 86.  Martha was born in Lincoln, NE on November 24, 1936 to Frank and Helen Cox. She and her brother Luke made many fond memories growing up spending time with their cousins.  After graduating from Lincoln Northeast High, she went on to attend Nebraska Teacher's College in Peru, Nebraska, majoring in secondary Home Economics.  She taught in Dannebrog and Red Cloud, Nebraska before moving to Rapid City to teach at Rapid City High School.  There she met and married fellow teacher Ken Linstrom, a widower with two young sons, Steve and Jim.  Martha and Ken added two daughters to the family, Karen and Sue.  Martha stayed home for several years to raise the children, going back to work for the Rapid City School District as a Junior High Home Ec. teacher for the remainder of her career.  Martha was a loyal supporter of Steven's High athletics where her kids competed and Ken coached.

Although Martha had numerous hobbies, including sewing, reading and "collecting" that kept her busy, she was most passionate about her family, especially her grandchildren.  She and Ken belonged to a camping club and traveled throughout the country in their motorhome, spending winter months in the Southwest for many years.

Martha loved the holidays and hosting family celebrations, as well as shopping for and giving gifts.  As a matter of fact, "hidden" Christmas gifts would often keep appearing well into summer.  She enjoyed decorating for every occasion, especially displaying her Dickens Village collection.

She was a grandma with a camera, taking dozens of photographs everywhere she went and presenting each grandchild with a photo album every year.  Ken and Martha were avid supporters of any and all activities their children and grandchildren participated in, and they were regular fixtures in the stands for the Custer Wildcats for a time.  Martha remained an ardent Nebraska Cornhuskers football fan to the very end.

As a quintessential people-person, Martha was a friend to all: from her childhood girl-gang, her Red Hats Society, her next-door neighbors, to everyone in the coffee room at St. Martins Village.  She loved to visit and socialize, and she enjoyed her final years at all three levels of the facility.  The care and kindness she received from the staff were greatly appreciated.

A long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Martha's faith and church community were important to her.  She continued with bible studies and church activities for as long as she was able.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Ken, grandson Nicholas and daughter-in-law Molly.  She is survived by her brother Luke (Robin) Cox; four children:  Steve (Steph) Linstrom, Saint Paul;  Jim (Gina) Linstrom, Tucson; Karen (Monni) Karim, Custer; Sue (Jeff) Wendte, Yankton; eight grandchildren: Patrick (Kristin) Cowan, Gregory (Heather) Cowan, Jamie Linstrom, Kristen (Aaron) Lee, Sam (Molly) Wendte, Chase (Delaney) Glazier, Tori (Kyle) Glanzer, Ramsey Karim; and five great-grandchildren: Lucy and Rhett Cowan, Elsie Cowan, AJ Lee and Tommy Glazier.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, November 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Church.  A meal and time for fellowship will follow the service.

Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery on Monday, November 6 at 10:30 a.m.

Memorials can be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church of Rapid City.