Obituary: Shirley J. Martin

Shirley J. Martin (nee Kruse) was called home by her Lord and Savior to rest and sleep with the angels on Jan. 15, 2021.

Shirley was born on Valentines Day, Feb. 14, 1926, to the late Christopher “Christ” Kruse and Rose (Kienzle) Kruse. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard J. (Dick) Martin.

She is the devoted mother to Christine (late Edward) Powell of Willis, Texas; Carol (Doug) Neill of Willis, Texas; and Cathy (David) Klemann of Christiana, Tennessee. Shirley is the cherished grandmother of Amanda (Matt) Gregory, Emily (David) Koseluk, and Jagur (Kylie) Klemann; and great-grandmother to Sierra Gregory.

We are all very grateful to God to have had her in our lives.

Shirley married her husband, Richard, on Sept. 11, 1948. They moved to Grand Island in 1951 where Dick started Modern Plumbing, which they grew into a successful business. Shirley later worked for Fleischman Fuels before buying the business herself and operated it until she retired in 1993.

Shirley was proud of her service to her community. She was a member of the Grand Island Zoning Board, the Zonta Club of Grand Island and the Grand Island Republican Committee. She was recognized for her accomplishments when she was named Citizen of the Year by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding role in the business community.

Shirley will be laid to rest beside her husband in St. Stephen’s Cemetery on Grand Island. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

Please share memories and condolences on Shirley’s tribute page at www.kaiserfuneral.com.