| Honored by: | Helen Wilson Ring |
| Brick location: | B:3 map |
Martha Mortensen Holm was born in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 23, 1900. She graduated from high school in June of 1918 and immediately went to work in the Employment Office of Bucyrus-Erie Company. She continued working after she married Clarence Holm of South Milwaukee on May 18 1922. He died in September 1935.
Although she had been out of school almost 18 years in September 1936 she left her job rented her home and enrolled at Iowa State College in Home Economics. She prided herself in achieving and not only graduated with a major in Household Equipment in June of 1940 but was elected to Omicron Nu. She was employed by Union Electric Co. St. Louis, Missouri and Republic Aviation Co. Evansville, Indiana and finally by the Wisconsin Electric Power Company Milwaukee.
She was Assistant Director of Home Service at the time of her retirement in 1966. Martha was a member of the American Home Economics Association and was active in the Wisconsin Home Economics in Business the American Association of University Women and Altrusa. She served on the Board of the Milwaukee YWCA. Because of concerns about her health she moved to Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh in October 1983. Martha's keen and exploring mind kept her always searching for new pursuits in learning.
An amazing capacity for recall made her an engaging conversationalist; her sense of humor was a delight to all. She was devoted to her family - a bonding influence - and treasured and nurtured friendships. One of her continuing projects was accumulating the necessary information and writing the family history. This represented one of her final projects - a last challenge for her and a beautiful gift to her survivors. ---------------------------------------------------- nformation provided by her sister Ella Mortensen Wilson Martha was my mentor when I worked in Home Service at the Wisconsin Electric about 1952-1954. She helped me continue to learn "on the job" - whether answering the telephone service we provided working in the test kitchen or assisting her with cooking demonstrations etc. (She also inspired a lifetime love for baking yeast breads!) Working beside her was like taking a graduate course; she was the dedicated teacher. Martha was always my friend as well. She died October 8 1991 after a truly meaningful 90 years. She was a strong positive influence on anyone she touched - a woman worthy of the Roll of Honor. nominated by Helen Wilson Ring class of 1945.
4/13/94