MARTHA MCKAY obituary

Martha McKay, 90, longtime Havre resident, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at Benefis East in Great Falls of natural causes.

Her graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Highland Cemetery with the Rev. Brad Ulgenes officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at First Lutheran Church immediately after the service at the graveside.

Martha was born Dec. 7, 1914, in Denhoff, Russia, to John and Katherine Stromberger. As a young child, she fled the Russian Revolution with her maternal grandparents, uncles and aunts. Martha and one aunt survived the trip to Hamburg, Germany. After several years, an uncle in Colorado sponsored Martha and her aunt to immigrate to America. The immigration process was very difficult for Martha because she didn't speak English. Martha worked on her uncle's farm in Colorado until her late teens, when she moved to Denver and worked as a domestic for some of the pioneer families.

In 1943, she met Howard McKay in Denver, and the couple married in July of that same year in Chinook. After they were married, the couple moved to Havre.

Martha worked many years as a cook in the food service at Northern Montana College. Years later, she would meet former students with whom she had worked.

Martha and Howard enjoyed their garden. Howard died in 1982. Martha moved to the Eagles Manor in 2001 and to the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in July.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one infant daughter.

Survivors include her son, Ronald (Linda) McKay of Havre; grandson, Alec (Karley) McKay of Havre; great-grandsons, Kennedy and Conner McKay of Havre; and granddaughter, Dana (Ric) Munfrada of Fort Worth, Texas.

Memorials in Martha's honor may be made to a memorial of one's choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.