Martha Mae Parkin

WAUSAU, Wis. — Martha Mae Parkin of Ontonagon passed away peacefully, Dec. 15, 2019, in the palliative care unit at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a brief illness.

Martha was born Jan. 31, 1941, in Portage Township to the late Jacob John Luokka and Regina Fedora (Karvonen) Luokka. She married the love of her life, Charles William Parkin on May 9, 1964. She worked as a nurse’s aide in Ontonagon until her first pregnancy. Her loving husband wanted her to be a stay at home mother of their precious children.

Martha as well as her husband were very caring and compassionate people who would help many people in times of need. They took into their very full household troubled young adults as well as taking care of multiple friend’s young children — many of whom considered her their grandma, even to this day. They donated as much as they could to various charities including the Special Olympics, Bay Cliff and St. Jude’s, as well as many others. Even in her death, she wanted to help others by being an organ donor so her eyes may help others in need or for research.

Martha enjoyed many activities in her lifetime. First and foremost were her husband and children. Martha and Charlie raised a loving family of five children, Regina Lee, Sherry Lee, Dennis Charles, Brenda Lee and Loretta Lynn. Dennis died unexpectedly at the age of seven. The girls were often referred to as “Charlie’s Angels.”

She was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. She had a special love for animals, especially her two beautiful cats, Rascal and Pollyann, who were her constant companions.

Surviving are her daughters, Regina Parkin, of Ontonagon, Sherry (Don) Smith, of Hurley, Brenda (Allen) Wells, of Rockland, and Loretta Parkin, of Ontonagon; sister-in-law, Lillian Harjala, of Tucson, Ariz .; nieces, Sandra (Stan) Niemi, of Ontonagon, Linda Thoreson, of White Pine, David (Becky) Hendrickson, of Ontonagon, and Jake Hendrickson, of Calumet; and numerous cousins she spoke fondly of; lifelong friend, Janet Coppenen; special friends, Donna Karvonen, Robin Abramson, Sally Kemppainen and Colleen Buzzo; as well as many others too numerous to mention.

Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband; her only son; brothers, Clifford and Jacob Luokka; sister, Anna Hendrickson; and infant brother, Charles Luokka.

The service will be held on Friday, Dec. 20, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The funeral service will start at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Howard Neider officiating. The burial will take place in the spring at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Houghton.

Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.