Martha Mae Parkin

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

Martha was born January 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 5 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 "Charlies 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 Regina Parkin, Ontonagon, Sherry (Don) Smith, Hurley, Brenda (Allen)Wells, Rockland and Loretta Parkin, Ontonagon. Sister in law Lillian Harjala of Tucson, AZ. Nieces Sandra (Stan) Niemi of Ontonagon, Linda Thoreson of White Pine, David (Becky) Hendrickson, Ontonagon, Jake Hendrickson of Calumet and numerous cousins she spoke fondly of. A 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, December 20, 2019 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. Visitation will be from 10:30am to 11:30am, the funeral service will start at 11:30am with Pastor Howard Neider officiating. The burial will take place in the spring at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Houghton, MI.

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