Home » Coarsegold » Celebration of Life for Martha Ann Richter Day
Image of Martha Ann Richter Day.
From everyone here at Sierra News Online, our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Martha Day.

Celebration of Life for Martha Ann Richter Day

Marth Ann Richter Day
September 25, 1939 – April 25, 2022

Image of Marth Ann Richter Day.

Martha Ann Richter Day.

Martha Day passed away peacefully on April 25, 2022, in Twin Falls, Idaho.  She was 82 years old. She was born Martha Ann Richter in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 25, 1939, to parents Otto and Johanna Richter.

From an early age Martha was blessed with the gift of music which she shared with others throughout her life. Some of her fondest memories were playing the piano and organ in home and church. She shared her love of music by teaching piano to her children along with many piano students and playing the organ for her church congregation for most of her adult life. Her love for music also extended into singing in her community choral group, The Dulcetones, for over 10 years.

Martha’s other talents included sewing and needlework. She used these talents to make clothes for herself and her children and in decorating their home. She often made homemade bread and was an excellent pie baker. Many summers were spent gardening and canning and preserving fruits and vegetables.

Image of Martha Ann Richter Day.

Martha Ann Richter Day.

Martha met her husband, David Day, while attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. They were married September 6, 1958, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Shortly afterwards, on September 20, they were sealed for time and eternity in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They spent time living in Glendora, San Diego, and Fairfield, California, before retiring in Coarsegold, California. She spent the last few years of her life in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Education was important to Martha. After raising her four children she returned to college and received a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from Sacramento State University in 1987. At that time, she began substitute teaching in all grade levels. She encouraged all of her children to pursue a college degree and one of her greatest accomplishments was having all of her children graduate from college. Along with education, reading was an important part of her life. Martha’s joy for reading was sparked in high school when she read “Les Misérables” and presented it as an oral report to her class.  She enjoyed many years of reading to her four children, even into their high school years, and to her husband. Many hours of traveling in the car were passed by listening to her reading out loud to her family. All her children developed a love for reading.

Many family memories were made during summer vacation camping trips. Some of her favorite times with her family were spent camping and hiking in the red rock country of Southern Utah and in Yosemite National Park. Despite her fear of heights, she climbed to the top of Half Dome with her daughter. Another favorite family destination was Disneyland, where she enjoyed riding all the rides with her children.

Throughout her life she enjoyed serving others. Martha was very active serving in her church and also helped at the local high school band booster program. While living in Fairfield she worked as a coordinator for a Japanese exchange student program, finding housing for and teaching basic English to Japanese teenagers. In her later years, she served as a senior missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Spokane, Washington, area. She also volunteered her time by serving in the Fresno, California, LDS temple, and helping at her local food bank.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, David Parley Day, and granddaughter Sarah Ashby, who both passed away in October 2001. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Richter of Alameda, CA, and her children Deanna Ashby (Thomas) of Twin Falls, ID, Darlene Chambers (Scott) of Olympia, WA, Denise Kersey (David) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and Nathan Day (Donna) of Oakland, CA, along with 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Martha spent her final months at the Ashley Manor Memory Care Center in Twin Falls. She is remembered by her many caregivers and lifelong friends for her great sense of humor, her laughter and wonderful smile, and her delightful personality. Her love for life touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

Her services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 49967 Road 427, in Oakhurst, California.

Viewing for family and friends will be held at 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral.

She will be laid to rest next to her husband, David, in the Oakhill Cemetery, Oakhurst. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of White-Reynolds Funeral Home in Twin Falls and Palm Memorial Sierra Chapel in Oakhurst.

Picture of funeral flowers.

Forever in our hearts.

Leave a Reply

Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online