Martha Rose Fry, a lifetime resident of Millhousen, Indiana, passed away on May 11th, three days before her 98th birthday. One of her friends recently wrote to her, “The day you were born, your family, our community and the world were given a great gift! You are a blessing to us all!”
Martha was born on May 14, 1922, the daughter of George, Sr. and Clara (Ruberg) Walters. She was born at home and lived there until her marriage. She graduated from Napoleon High School in 1940. She married Omer Fry on May 14, 1946 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Millhousen. At the time of Omer’s death on November 1, 2008, they were married over 62 years. Both were members of this church their entire lives.
Martha was a homemaker, starting at seventeen years of age, when she kept house for her dad after her mother died. She was always very active in her community. She was a member and volunteer for many organizations throughout her life. She was a member of the St. Anne’s Society and the Marion Township’s Fireman Auxiliary. She taught religion classes and was a Eucharistic minister. She was a 4-H club leader. She volunteered at the Decatur County Memorial Hospital. She worked hard, raising her children, and cleaning other’s homes. She still found time to be a great friend and caregiver to her family, friends and neighbors well into her late 80’s. She cared for an ailing aunt, her mother-in-law, her uncle and her father at different periods in her home. Visiting and bringing homemade treats to the elderly and sick was a lifetime commitment. Even in the past year, many have been touched by her kindness and attention.
Martha was a very social person and loved being with people and having a good time. During her life, she enjoyed her Wednesday afternoon bowling league, several Euchre card clubs, as well as playing Euchre with relatives and friends. She especially loved dancing to Big Band music. She and Omer looked forward to dances at the Eagle’s in Batesville, but went to many other dance venues, as well. They were good dancers and won a dance contest for the waltz. She enjoyed the Adult Center for cards and for dancing. She really knew how to enjoy life and have lots of fun well into her late 90’s, dancing at her granddaughter Madelyn’s wedding this past November. She and Omer would dance in the living room while watching the Lawrence Welk program, her favorite show. They danced with grandchildren to their favorite music on their “hi-fi”. She would say it put her right back in the past and all the wonderful memories.
Family was very important and the yearly Walters’ family reunion was sacred to her. She was a great cook. All the relatives looked forward to her baking, especially her pies. The kids loved her yummy cookies. She enjoyed travel and she and Omer loved travelling with their children and grandchildren. Some of her favorite trips were to see her nieces and nephews in Florida. She travelled to Hawaii with friends and dear sister-in-law, Leora Walters. She went out west with Omer and her nephew, David, and remembers that as a favorite trip. Mary, her niece, was the best tour guide on a trip to Washington, D.C. She visited relatives in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida. She spent weeks long winter visits to Florida. For several years, she was a doted-on guest of nieces Linda, Lois, and Mary. They provided a fabulous time.
Martha is survived by daughter Diane (Steve) Simmonds of Greensburg and two sons, Daryl (Sue) Fry of Indianapolis and Greg (Diane) Fry of Avon, eleven grandchildren, Stephenie Ward, Darla Dawson, Stellanie Krimm, Dominic Simmonds and Macy Simmonds, Julie (Chris) Mennel, Amanda Fry, Madelyn (David) Eckhart, Heather (Josh) Masters, Nathan and Michael Fry and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Theresa Ann, her husband Omer, her parents and brothers, Vernon, Charles and George Jr. and sister, Marie (Joseph) Menkhaus.
Due to current public health safety mandate, a private graveside service will be held at the cemetery of the Immaculate Conception Church with Father John Meyer officiating. Porter-Oiger-Pearson Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Martha’s family requests memorial contributions be made to the Immaculate Conception Church or to the Hospice of South Central Indiana.