Obituary: Martha Fick

Martha Fick died after an unexpected illness Friday, January 29, 2016 at Ministry Door County Medical Center.

Born December 27, 1929 Martha Amelia Krause in Williams Bay, WI and graduated from Williams Bay High School in 1948. She married Michael Yurkew from Cairnbrook, PA, September 3, 1949 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva, WI and moved to Beloit one and a half years later. They raised five children together in 25 years of marriage. Michael had been a mechanic and then head electrician for Fairbanks Morse after WWII having served in the US Marine Corp in Corregidor, Philippines. Martha herself was a true patriot having a victory garden as so many of her generation had.

Our mom was a faithful volunteer for all of our school activities, kept busy as a homemaker, gardner, and raised and showed cocker spaniels. She loved to fish and had a natural talent for painting. Her whole life was revolved around family, taking care of others and collecting angels.

After our Father’s death in 1974, she became very active in the Beloit baseball farm league to the Milwaukee Brewers – serving on the board, making sure the players all had housing and attending all the games. There she met her good baseball buddy Edwin Albert Fick whom she married in 1988. After his death in 1996 she moved to Sister Bay, WI to be close to her daughter and family.
She continued to fish and be on the waters and immerse herself in the history of Door County. She happily resided at the Scandia Village Nursing Center for 15 years where she was blessed with many new friends, also where family and old friends could visit.

Martha was predeceased in death by her parents Albert and Dorothy Krause, a brother Franklin, first husband Michael Yurkew and his parents John and Sophie Yurkow, and then Edwin Fick. Also sadly predeceased by her beautiful talented young grandson Jordan Alex Yurkew of Long Island, NY, and many wonderful sister and brother in laws from Pennsylvania.

Her surviving family includes daughter Theresa (Mike) Richardson of AZ, Barbara (Mike) Pittenger of CA, Bunny (Lyle) Spearo of Sister Bay, WI, Michael Yurkew of Puerto Rico, and John (Penny) Yurkew of Beloit, WI. Talented Granddaughters Dr. Sara Pittenger Reid (Bryce) of CA., Danielle Yurkew at NYU, Kaleigh Yurkew at University of Kentucky, and youngest granddaughter Mei Lin of Beloit. Proudly included are her talented Grandsons Phillip (Rachel) Spearo of Pewaukee, WI and Jesse (Lisa) Spearo of Naples, FL. Recent born her first great-grandson Croix Donald Spearo of Florida. Her beautiful great-granddaughters include Ellison and Brynn Spearo, and Emma Rose.

A brother Chuck (Diane) Krause, and sisters Stellla Krause, Alberta Krause, and Sharon (Richard) Rogge all in Wisconsin.

Also survived by sister-in-law Kusha Haggerty and brother-in-law Nick Kutsmeda both of Pennsylvania, along with many loving and dedicated nieces and nephews.

Our family wishes to extend gratitude to the great loving staff at the Scandia Village Retirement Center for their caring loyalty and having so much fun with her. Mom had adopted every dedicated employee, watching as their families grew with her.

Thanks to the medical staff of Ministry Door County Medical Center that gave so much compassion, the paramedics who knew her; Dr. Binardi, Dr Conger and Michael Flood who always were there to help. Pastor John of the hospital, and Father Bob Steggman of St. Joseph’s, and Chaplain Joy Zakrzewski of Scand that was always there for Martha night and day.

It is important to mention her very faithful friends and roommates, Jinx Olson, Virginia Gundluggsen, and Angel CNAs, especially Nancy Smith and Heather Stuth. So many of you made her happy and well loved for many years, becoming extended family. We are also grateful to her best friend Mary Driscoll of Beloit that continued to drive up to see her for years.

A Memorial Service will be held at Scandia Village in the Chapel Wednesday Feb. 24 at 2pm for residents and staff to attend.

According to Martha’s wishes, when her large family can all congregate in warmer Spring weather, we will give tribute to her and celebrate her sharing life to all with a gathered reunion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be accepted in Martha’s remembrance, and the family would then like to donate to the established Capitol Campaign Fund to reconstruct the Care Center at Scandia Village, 10560 Applewood Rd., Sister Bay, WI 54234.