Martha Elizabeth Montfoort

Martha Elizabeth Montfoort, 88, formerly of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at a hospital in Phoenix, AZ. She was born on March 4, 1919 in Topeka, the daughter of Charles and Maude Deskins Allbaugh. Martha had four siblings. Dorothy Allbaugh and Edgar Allbaugh preceded her in death. Her two surviving siblings are Alden Allbaugh of Newton, Kansas and Julia Brooks of Lawrence, Kansas. As a young girl, Martha was very studious and also loved to play the piano and sing. After her marriage to Charles J. Montfoort in 1938, she became very involved in being a wife and mother, participating in church activities, and working as a part-time clerk and substitute mail carrier for the Richland Post Office. Charles and Martha moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1994 to be near their son, John Montfoort and their daughter, Marilyn Roelse. Charles preceded her in death in 1995. Martha took much pleasure in her two granddaughters Gina (Rick) Montfoort-Carey and Robyn, both John's daughters. In addition, she really enjoyed her two great-grandchildren, Skyler and Lucas, Gina's daughter and son. In Martha's latter years, she faced a number of challenges, but because of her solid faith in Jesus Christ, she developed a grateful spirit and attitude. Martha's life was marked by determination, a spirit of charity, and unswerving loyalty to God. Martha will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Monday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery southeast of Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeview Church of the Nazarene, 2835 S.E. Croco Rd., Topeka, KS 66605 or to the American Cancer Society, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Rd., Topeka, KS 66604.