Obituaries

Martha L. Roberts

Died Jan. 25, 2016

NORTHPORT – Martha L. Roberts, 75, of Northport, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family. 

  Martha was born August 11, 1940 in Northport, Michigan, the daughter and 10^th child of Frederick P. Baumberger and Daisy E. Nelson Baumberger.  On August23, 1958 at Northport Methodist Episcopal Church, she married Carlyle A. Roberts, Jr. who survives.

  Martha was born and raised on the family farm just north of Northport.  She graduated as valedictorian of Northport High School in 1958. She and Carl married shortly thereafter and moved first to Clio, and then Otisville, Michigan.  In 1966, they moved back to Northport with their four daughters to be closer to family, and have lived there ever since.  Good food, hospitality, and lots of laughter were always on tap at the Roberts home.

  While raising her family, Martha ran an upholstery business, then later worked at Empire National Bank, retiring in 2002 after twenty-two years.  She dedicated her time and talents to many local organizations, including Trinity Church, Northport Village Council, The Village Voices, Leelanau Township Cemetery Committee, and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum.  She was instrumental in starting the Northport Area Heritage Association (NAHA).  Carl and Martha loved to travel together, having visited Alaska, Hawaii, Norway, Denmark, New England, and many other places.

  Martha had a deep interest in family heritage.  On a trip to Norway in 2007, she visited ancestral farms, including the Garthe and Blacken farms. Her extensive knowledge of family lineage was a benefit to her relatives and to the surrounding community.

  She had quite a talent for solving problems.  She would stand back, survey the situation, and then come up with a solution that was just what was needed.  Many have experienced and benefited from that gift.  And she remembered almost everyone she met.

  Martha is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Carlyle; her daughters Gail Roberts (Timothy Webb), Colleen Roberts (Dennis Woodward), and Carla Roberts (Jim Rantala); her siblings Trudy (Robert) Lewis, and Sue (Richard) Hanson; her grandchildren Jabe Dalzell(fiancée Breann Albarado), Carl (Kalinda) Webb, John, Thomas, Daniel and Mary Webb, Catherine Daisy, Robin, and Miles Woodward; her great-grandchildren Joseph and Molly Webb; and a large extended family.

  She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Marcy K. Roberts, and her siblings Faye Dinsmore, Mary Firehammer, Carol Hagen, Noel Baumberger, Richard Baumberger, Phyllis Baumberger, and Walter Baumberger.

  The family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, Jan. 30, with the family greeting friends one hour prior to the service, at the Trinity Church of the United Church of Christ in Northport.  Interment in Leelanau Township Cemetery will be announced at a later date.

  

  Memorials may be directed to Trinity Church at trinityuccnorthport.org, NAHA, PO Box 453, Northport, MI 49670 and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum grandtraverselighthouse.com. 

  Please share memories and condolences with Martha's family online at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.