Ella Elsie Martin passed away peacefully with family by her side on Friday, December 26, 2025. Her journey on this earth was marked by love, compassion, and an unwavering faith in God, and her absence has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of her family and friends. We ask that you remember her not for the burden of Alzheimer’s in her last years, but for her true nature and the beautiful impact it had on all those whose lives she touched.

Ella was born on January 3, 1935, in Eatonia, Saskatchewan to Tobias and Emilie Klein. She grew up on the family farm together with her cherished siblings: Anne, Helmut, Alfred, Alma, Hilda and Irvin. As a devoted Nurses’ Aide at the local hospital, she was known for her “magic touch” - especially with sick children. After exchanging 223 letters during a courtship of just over a year, she married the love of her life, Reverend Harold Martin, on June 20, 1956.

Ella dedicated her life to working side by side with Harold in a ministry that spanned 8 Lutheran congregations over 40 years. She volunteered with numerous organizations, served as church secretary and a team captain for the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, taught Sunday School, initiated women’s service groups, hosted social events, won awards for designing church banners, sang in the choir, and meticulously cleaned every inch of the church. Her creativity, organization, gracious manner, and sense of humor together with her tireless work ethic, were skills for which she was admired. When asked for her most significant accomplishment, however, she wrote: “I gave birth to 2 wonderful daughters!” While Lori and Lynette grew up to appreciate many of Ella’s own hobbies of reading, camping, travelling, singing, and live theatre, their greatest gift was their mother’s boundless love, time, and guidance. In later years, Ella continued her support by amazing her grandchildren with her ability to create things from scratch, treating them to personalized adventures and thematic lunches, and babysitting with gentle joy.

Ella is survived by her daughters, Lorelle Cholka (David), Lynette Kostiuk (Raymond), grandchildren Tamara Kostiuk and Aleah Paterson (Scott), and great-grandchild Grayson Paterson. She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Harold, her parents and parents-in-law, 6 siblings, 4 brothers-in-law, and 2 sisters-in-law.

Believing that “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8), Ella now rests in the eternal grace of God.

Many thanks to those who helped to care for Ella during her illness: Dr. Walsh, Maggie Wall, Bonnie Quinn, Bridge Home Care, and the staff at Cedar Creek.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at CHRIST TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 416 12 St S, LETHBRIDGE, AB., with Pastor Olivier Ravelojaona officiating.

A Graveside Service will be held at ROYAL VIEW MEMORIAL CEMETERY following the Funeral Service.

Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made to Christ Trinity Lutheran Church. (e transfer – christ.trinity2020@gmail.com).