Sally Ann Martinus, 83

Sally Ann Martinus (nee Williams), age 83, of Columbia Falls  went home to be with the Lord on May 30, 2024. She was born June 25, 1940 in Billings to the late Simeon Williams and Minnie Williams (Lewis), the youngest of three sisters.  

Sally grew up in Red Lodge where her father owned and ran the Ford dealership.  After high school, she went on to attend Montana College (MSU-Bozeman now) where she earned a nursing degree, following in the steps of her two older sisters. After graduation, she worked as a surgical nurse at Billings Deaconess Hospital.  

The following years of her life saw many changes.  She lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan and married Don Martinus.  They moved to Billings and Mammoth,  Montana where their two children were born, Simeon John and Sonja Annette.  

They headed east to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee for a couple of years.  For her remaining years (52 to be precise), she would very happily settle in the Flathead Valley on Northwest Montana.  

For the first 26 years, she lived in park housing in Glacier National Park and was a doting mother (bedtime stories every night), cookie baker (she took great pride in the fact that her children never ate store bought cookies) and wildlife enthusiast (she was known to feed the deer and the squirrels).  During the second half of her time here, she also worked as the night charge nurse at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls for 13 years.  In the second 26 years, she lived in her dream home in Columbia Falls where she took particular delight in planting and caring for flowers all over her property.  

Sally was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Her favorite color was purple as anyone who met her would know.  Wherever she lived, cats (often strays) were always welcome in her home and were made residents.  They numbered anywhere from one to six over the years and many of them were so dear to her that she requested to have the buried with her. Sally was a longtime member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and was an avid reader of religious books with a particular interest in End Times.  

Sally is survived by her son, Simeon John Martinus; daughter, Sonja Annette Nelson (Tom), four grandchildren: Zachary, Jakob, Luke, and Carly, one great grandchild: Emma, sister, Norma Schanck and nieces/nephews Gwen, Nolan, Jay and Karl.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband- Don Martinus, sister- Juanita Bronkema, niece- Deanna Green, and great nephew- Thomas Green.

A celebration of Sally Ann Martinus’ life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 640 7th Street West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Family and friends may begin to visit on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. and are invited to wear purple.  To send online condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or anywhere the donor desires.