Martina M. Lane

Martina Magdalena Opitz was born August 10, 1913 in Frank, South Dakota to Martin and Katherine Opitz. Martina, known as Marty, was the oldest of 3. Survived by her sister, Henrietta (Opie) and brother, Marinus (Bud). Mom grew up in Eden, SD, where German was the primary language in the home until she started school. She would often talk about her childhood and spending many wonderful times with her extended family members on surrounding farms in the area. Mom had scarlet fever as a child and missed a whole year of school. Her parents were told she would not be able to live a long productive life or have a family of her own, well we all know what the outcome of that was... With her strong faith in our Lord she showed us all she felt different. Mom went to work before graduating from high school to earn money to send home to help out her family in the 30's. She was a live in Nanny and Housekeeper. She graduated from Webster High School, SD in 1932. In 1936 she moved to Bristol, SD where she worked as a Housekeeper for Fr. John Rewland. She moved to Centerville in the early 40's where she met the Lane Family and became a pen pal with Alan, who was in Europe serving in the United States Army, during World War II. After Alan returned home, their courtship began. On October 14, 1947, they became Mr. and Mrs. Jediah Alan Lane, living in Muncie, Indiana. They had four children, Michael in 1949, Paula in 1951, then came out west in 1951 to Vancouver, WA and Glenn soon arrived in 1952, they moved once again to Milwaukie, OR and in 1955 Michele joined the family. She always had a spotless home and the smell of the most wonderful aromas from all the baking and cooking she would do. One word... YUM!, which was often said as we grew older and came over with our own Family's to visit, as we walked in the door. One of our fondest memories as younger kids was every Friday night right after dinner, Mom would make homemade bread. Dad was working nights at this time, so we would get to stay up later and after the bread was all baked, Mom would take one loaf, still warm, slice it and we would eat the whole thing with butter and of course... homemade strawberry jam... YUM! Mom was also a fabulous seamstress. We had some of the best handmade dresses, shirts and PJ's. Over the years she did Tole Painting, sang with the Sweet Adeline's, took up ceramics, had a green thumb and loved her roses. They, like her, were very beautiful. Later years after retiring from work she started Oil Painting, which her children now have hanging in their homes. Mom was very involved and dedicated in her parish here at St. John's. She was a charter member of Y.L.I. and always there to help with many events over the years. She worked in the school cafeteria early to mid 60's and later was parish secretary after Mrs. Fuller retired. After mom retired from parish secretary she was in the parish choir into her early 90's. She was very involved with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had 11 grandchildren and currently 20 great-grandchildren; with #21 due this October. They all loved her very much and she was very proud of them all. They came to see her for Holidays and Birthdays over the years, always making her the center of attention, which she ate up. Mom's personal goal was to make her 100th Birthday, which would have been this coming August 10th, 2013. But maybe the Lord thought we all here on earth had the pleasure of having her to ourselves for so very long, that maybe it would be Special for her to spend it with Him, her Parents, Husband, two grandchildren and many family and friends who preceded her in death many years ago. We are sure she will have a wonderful Birthday, because she knows how much she was and is loved by all of us. We will still celebrate her life on the 10th. She was a very special Woman, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mom, Grandma and Friend. We will miss her but never will she be forgotten, because all we need to do is look around and see all the people and places she has touched in her life... and... Smile! We Love You Mom! Rest In Please and Love!