Martha Wilma De Kam was born on November 14, 1936 to Peter and Jennie (Van Ruler) De Kruif in Leeds Township - Murray County, MN. She grew up with her family in the Chandler, MN area and was a baptized and confirmed member of the Chandler Reformed Church. She attended and graduated from Chandler High School in 1954.

Martha was a homemaker, loving mother and wife, and worked with Harold on the farm. Harold and Martha retired from farming and worked at Huisken Meats in Chandler. Martha worked at Huisken Meats for nine years. They moved to Edgerton, MN in February 1997. Martha died under hospice care at the Luverne Hospice Cottage Home at the age of 77 years and 3 days.

Martha was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Edgerton where she was a member of Mary Guild Bible study. Harold and Martha volunteered at Cary, MS for a few years in retirement and also enjoyed attending music festivals during the summer months. Vacations with family and friends included fishing trips and visits to state parks.

Martha enjoyed cooking and baking. Family and friends, especially her grandchildren, enjoyed many of her specialties in these areas. She also enjoyed gardening, flowers and vegetables, along with canning and freezing. Harold and Martha also spent many hours playing cards, Rook and Pinochole, with family and friends. At times, this card playing went into the wee hours of the morning.

Remembering her Christian example with love and thankfulness is her husband, Harold, of 56 years. This union was blessed with three sons and their children: Allen and Linda of Chandler, Stacy and Shane – Brandon, Colton, Josh and Crystal, Dennis and Bev of Pipestone, Jessica – Hunter, Hayden, Nicole and Jesse, Clayton, Jason and Shelly – Taylor, Reed, Liam, Crystal and Kirk, Dustin and Ashley, Alex and Nicole – Zane, and Loren and Denise of Edgerton, Tami and John – Kael, Bailey, Kimberly and Nathan, Kelsey.

Also having shared in her life were other family members and friends. Siblings: Harvey and Donna De Kruif, Bill and JoAnn De Kruif, Gerald De Kruif; Brothers and Sisters-In-Law: Nelvina De Kam, Arnold and Faye De Kam, John De Kam, Lloyd Van Essen, Elmer and Hennie De Kam, Marlys and John Bouw.

Preceding Martha in death are her grandparents, William and Jantje (Brons) De Kruif and Henry and Maartje (Buys) Van Ruler; her parents, Peter and Jennie De Kruif; her sister Jeanette; sisters-in-law Laura Van Essen and Fonda De Kruif, and an unborn great-grandbaby.