Donna Martin

Donna Lee (Sturgeon) Martin died peacefully Thursday May 8, 2025 at The Home of the Flinthills in Silver Lake, Kansas.

Donna married Robert (Bob) L. Martin in 1957 and they enjoyed a 68-year marriage, raised four children, attended Second Presbyterian Church throughout and volunteered in numerous organizations throughout North Topeka.

Donna was born Oct. 17, 1934 in Enid, OK to Curtis Sturgeon and Evelyn (Hardiman) Sturgeon, the oldest of six children. The family moved to Meriden, KS in 1952, and she graduated from high school there in 1953.

The largest room of the home that Donna and Bob shared for sixty years was the dining room. She loved to cook, bake and serve for family gatherings and friends. Great food, lively conversations and loving fun were always in abundance. Vacations in Colorado, Christmas candies, seemingly infinite cinnamon rolls and Sunday Taco Nights are directly tied to her sense of sharing and love.

Idle time was wasted time and she was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, needleworker and knitter, creating treasures for many people. She was a voracious reader. Curiosity, books and learning were vital parts of sharing time with her. With all those kids in tow, weekly trips to the library were very important. As in all things, with children or friends, she led by example and with hard work.

Later in life, Donna became a Lay Pastor and served at Stormont Vail Hospital, in the kitchen at the Topeka Rescue Mission, CanHelp Crisis Line, with Topeka North Outreach as well as serving as Moderator of a United Presbyterian Women of America Annual Conference.

She was preceded in death by daughter Debra Lee Cooper, Erlyn Rose, Clinton Cooper, her parents, her much loved younger siblings: Richard, Curtis and Jim Sturgeon, and two sisters; LaVonne Anspaugh and Carol Dean Brown.

She is survived by her husband Bob, sons Randy Martin and his wife Susan Dysart of Manhattan, Roger Martin and his wife Lisa of Charlottesville, VA, Russell Martin of Lawrence, KS., Mary Cooper, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Celebration of Life services will be held May 12 at 10:00 am at Second Presbyterian Church, 210 NW Menninger Rd, Topeka, KS 66617. Memorials may be gifted to the Church in care of Donna Martin.

Many people met and knew Donna. Those looking past the kind smile and gentle ways found a person that abundantly loved her family, her friends and the Lord. We are lucky who have had such people in our lives.

To leave a message for her family online, please utilize the guestbook below.