Martha 'Pat Krause' (Zizminskas) Latva

Martha Latva, affectionately known as Pat or Marti, entered eternal life on Saturday, November 3, 2012, age 93. Martha was born in Racine on May 11, 1919, daughter of the late Thomas and Barbara (nee: Yierger) Zizminskas.

Martha was a proud graduate of Wm. Horlick High School “Class of 1937." She was married to Frederick Krause on July 3, 1948, until his death on May 17, 1969. In the 1940s, Martha was employed as an analysis clerk with Wisconsin Gas and Electric. She later worked in the payroll department at Walker Mfg. for twenty years, before retiring in 1980.

She was united in marriage to Armas Latva on October 28, 1988. She was a member of St. Mary’s by the Lake Catholic Church, the Racine Garden Club, Women’s Sewing Club, YWCA and the Hi-Lo Dance Club. Martha volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years. She cherished her longtime friends and enjoyed the card club they maintained over the years.

She found beauty and joy in her garden. Pound cakes and pumpkin pies were her specialty. She traveled with friends and took many wonderful trips with Armas after their marriage. Above all, Martha deeply loved her family and enjoyed giving of herself in many ways. She made everyone feel very special and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her husband, Armas; her daughter, Kay (nee: Krause) Tonkin; sister-in-law, Evelyn Thomas, all of Racine; brother-in-law, Milton (Elsie) Latva and their daughter Jayne of New Berlin; nieces and nephews, Nina (Dennis) Porcaro of Racine, Julie Thomas of Houston, TX, Eileen (Ken) Fredricks of Malaysia, Kim (Malcolm) Fliege of CA, Paul (Judy) Schacht, Sandy (Don) Hansen, all of Racine; other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Martha was also preceded in death by her beloved Aunt Agnes Zizminskas; brother, Vitas Thomas; infant brother, Adam; niece, Terri Halverson; great-niece, Callie Fredricks; sister-in-law, Mabel Schacht; brothers-in-law, Paul Schacht and Karl Krause.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s By the Lake Catholic Church, 7605 Lakeshore Drive, on Friday, November 9, 2012, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Stephen J. Stradinger officiating. Entombment will follow at Calvary Garden Crypts. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. Mary’s By the Lake Catholic Church or the Racine Garden Club have been suggested.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Azura Memory Care and Hospice Alliance, Inc. for the wonderful care given to Martha.

MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888