Martha Brown

Life for Martha M. Brown was an adventure filled with memorable times and experiences. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she will be fondly remembered and missed by many.

During World War II many U.S. men were overseas and women began entering the work force in droves. Those back home supported the war effort as the overall spirit in America remained alive and well. Young men not in uniform were often dressed in zoot suits dancing the jitterbug with their saddle-shoed sweethearts or taking in a picture show. And through these changing times Michael and Bonnie Ladisky celebrated the birth of a little girl they named Martha on March 18, 1942 in St. Johns, Michigan.

While growing up on the family farm there was never a shortage of work to be done. Being the only girl, Martha’s three brothers took on the brunt of the outside chores earning her the nickname “Queenie“ by her father. Farm life was always an adventure and at an early age, Martha learned how to drive a manual transmission. Unfortunately, her first time driving the family truck landed her straight out the back of the garage! After that, her father filled the truck with plenty of gas and sent her out to the pasture to learn how to drive in the wide open spaces. An adventurous girl, Martha even went deer hunting a few times and actually landed one on her own but had a difficult time convincing her family that it was hers.

Martha attended the local country schoolhouse near her home and later graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns. It was during her high school years that Martha met a dashing young man named Larry Brown who stole her heart. Young and in love, the two were married right out of high school on July 26, 1960. Martha soon came to know life outside of St. Johns when Larry entered the Air Force shortly after their wedding. Stationed in snowy Caribou, Maine which is the most northeastern city in the U.S., it was here that the young couple began their life together.

When Larry was discharged from the service they returned home to St. Johns where he began working for Oldsmobile in nearby Lansing, Michigan. Over time, Martha celebrated the births of her children and loved becoming a mother to sons Larry, Jr. and Jeffery. But with two rambunctious boys to look after, Martha had to referee "disagreements" between them on more than one occasion. She was also a hard worker, especially when it came to managing her household.

Martha and Larry enjoyed the years they had together. Memorable times were spent snowmobiling, playing golf and one of their favorite places to visit was in the Smoky Mountains. Outgoing and always up for a little adventure, Martha loved riding around in her pride and joy, a 1978 Corvette. In her later years, she also became a member of the infamous Red Hat Society. As an avid golfer she won the league championship at the Northstar Golf Course on several occasions, but in her spare time she enjoyed watching birds and taking pictures of them. Her binoculars were always within reach, especially when the deer wandered into the nearby fields.

When Martha’s beloved Larry died on July 7, 2002 life was never quite the same for her. She suffered a great loss during this time but she placed her efforts into her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Her family stopped by frequently to visit and quite often she could be found shopping with her daughters-in-law. Whenever they would help her with a chore or two around the house, Martha was sure to repay them with her delicious homemade cookies.

Sadly, at the age of 67, Martha died on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her sons, Larry (Lynette) Brown, Jr. and Jeffery (Julie) Brown both of St. Johns; grandsons, Michael (Erika) Brown, Josh Brown, Corey Brown and Dustin Brown. She is also survived by her brothers, Michael (Wendy) Ladisky, Tom, Sr. (Barb) Ladisky and Patrick Ladisky; many nieces and nephews. Along with her parents and husband, Martha was preceded in death by her grandson, Brent Brown.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 11, 2009, 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns with Rev. Father Thomas Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 10 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Osgood Funeral Home 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns. Sympathy may be expressed in contributions to the American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation. Please visit

www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory or photo of Martha or to sign her online guest book.