Heaven has welcomed its newest angel. After a long battle with cancer,
Martina (Frank) Roth, 84, passed this July 5th at the Garden Valley
Retirement Village.
Martina was born on April 22, 1938, to Joseph and Germaine Frank in
Marienthal, KS, the last of ten children. Shortly after her birth, her
family moved to Garden City where Martina attended St. Mary Catholic
School and Garden City High school. She would go on to attend Salt City
Business College in Hutchison KS. On a blustery day in January 1959,
Martina married Edward Roth, the love of her life, and together they
began a loving partnership that would span sixty-three years.
After the honeymoon, Martina and Edward settled northwest of Holcomb and
started farming. They also started their family which would grow to
four sons. Although her boys were always the priority, Martina ensured
the farm was always running smoothly while keeping the books, running
parts, and feeding field crews. Given all of that, Martina still found
time for her hobbies. She loved playing the guitar and singing in the
choir. She also enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and baking.
When it came to passion, Martina’s was family. She enjoyed catching up
on the latest gossip with her sisters and sisters-in-law. She loved
hosting large family gatherings around the holidays where her motto was
“there could never be too many pies." But her true calling came with her
grandchildren. With the birth of her first grandchild, Rachelle, her
heart grew to twice its size. Martina’s door was always open to her
grandchildren, who were welcomed with lots of hugs, a snack or two, and
caring conversation.
Martina was preceded in death by her son Mark, her parents, and siblings
Gilbert, Louise, Lenora, Anna Marie, Edward, and Herman. She is
survived by her husband Edward, three sons – Chris, Bryan (Lyn), Dwane
(Kim), seven grandchildren – Rachelle (Jeff) Conway, Zachary (MiKayla),
Zion (Hannah), Zevin, Zoe (Brady) Merz, Margaret, Grace, three
great-grandchildren – Jasmine, Luke, and Elia, and sisters – Armella,
Marcella, and Charlotte.
Vigil Service and Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 7,
2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City. Funeral Mass will be
held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2022, also at St. Mary Catholic
Church with Fr. Jacob Schneider as Celebrant. Burial will follow at
Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from Noon to 5:00
p.m. on Thursday at Garnand Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, St. Catherine Hospice, or Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, all in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.