Martha "Marty" Jo Myers

Martha Jo Myers (nee Kaas), a resident of Adelaide Place in Fond du Lac, WI and formerly of Appleton, WI, passed away on December 31, 2024. She was constantly surrounded by her family, who adored her. Marty, as everyone called her, was born on September 20, 1944, to Wayne and June (nee Shauver) “Dutch and Tillie” Kaas, in Hillsdale, MI. Marty graduated in 1966 with her BA in education from Western Michigan University. While there, she met Hugh Myers during an “Under the Sea” dance. The two would go on to marry on August 19, 1967, at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. Marty began to teach elementary school while Hugh earned his Master of Science in Paper Technology. The phrase “love of their life” is perhaps cliched and even overused, but seldom do two people share such a beautiful, complete life as Marty and Hugh Myers did, for over 55 years together. They made life decisions together and supported each other in everything they did. Before moving to Appleton, WI in 1971, the couple lived in Dayton, OH, for two years, where Marty continued teaching while also earning her Master of Education at Wright State University and Hugh worked for an affiliate of Appleton Papers (currently Appvion). With the move to Appleton, Marty came home from teaching and she and Hugh began a family with the birth of their daughter Amy, and 3 years later, the birth of their son, Scott. While Hugh worked as a chemist for Appleton Papers, Marty focused on making their family her main priority. She stayed home with her children for the next 13 years before returning to the public school system as a substitute teacher and then working 20 years as an office manager for Dr. David Emanuel, DDS, SC and Associates. She also assisted Hugh with photographing weddings for his part-time business, Hugh Myers Photography, which was part of their lives for 39 years. While both Marty and Hugh valued education and learning, as well as a strong work ethic, Amy and Scott credit their mom with much of their education. They were both reading by the time they were three years old. While the kids did attend public school, they also remember their mom being the teacher of the family, helping them so much at home like it was “pretty much homeschool”. In addition, she started Amy and Scott early in both piano and band, giving them a love of music that has lasted a lifetime. Marty also started her children in swimming lessons in their young lives because she herself earned only a “C” in college swimming. Luckily, Amy and Scott loved the water, excelled at lessons and performed on their swim teams all the way through high school. As retirement approached, Marty and Hugh, still very much in love and looking for adventure, began to travel and cruised the Caribbean seven times. They also babysat for their two grandsons, Caleb and Connor, and attended the boys’ many activities over the years. Perhaps the greatest gifts Marty and Hugh left their children, besides memories of their devotion to family, were the many, many photo albums filled with thousands of pictures reflecting the love and pride they had for their family, evidenced in their wide smiles. To know Marty and Hugh Myers was to know they very much cherished their family. Beyond her husband and children, Marty’s only greater love was for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Marty and Hugh and their family were members of Alliance Church in Appleton, where Marty served as a Deaconess and took part in women’s Bible studies. They also belonged to a very close mini church, who remained dear friends to the end of Marty’s life. Marty spent her final two years without the daily love of Hugh, who preceded her in death on January 20, 2023. She loved him deeply and nursed him through his difficult last days of Parkinson’s Disease and a broken hip. For his part, Hugh, who had very few words at the end of his life, still spoke softly to credit Marty for raising their wonderful children. His last thoughts were for Marty, alone. Although Marty’s death creates so much sadness for those left behind, it is comforting to know Marty will spend eternity with her Savior, reunited with Hugh, the love of her earthly life. Those who will miss most her include her children Amy (John) McFadden of Fond du Lac and Scott (Andrea) Myers of Minneapolis, MN as well as her grandsons Caleb and Connor McFadden, who called her “Mimi”. She also leaves her brother Richard (Kathy) Kaas of Nashua, NH and her sisters-in-law Winnifred Jurrjens of South Lyon, MI and Marilyn (George) Marion of Kalamazoo, MI, in addition to nieces and nephews. Marty was blessed with many friends including of special note Mel and Barb Lichefski, of Appleton, their mini-church leaders, who saw both Marty and Hugh safely home to Heaven. Marty J. Myers was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hugh K. Myers; her parents Wayne and June (nee Shauver) Kaas; her in-laws Hugh S. and Eleanor (nee Kirby) Myers. Marty’s body has been cremated. A Celebration of Marty’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 901 County Rd V, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 (920-922-3353). Visitation will take place from 2-3 p.m. with a service at 3 p.m. and snacks to follow. The service can also be livestreamed at www.alcfdl.org and clicking “Worship Online”. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marty’s name can be directed to Alzheimer’s Association by mail, phone (800-272-3900) or online at alz.org or to American Heart Association by mail, phone (800-242-8721) or online at heart.org. The family gratefully thanks the staff and caregivers of Adelaide Place for their loving attention and care of Marty. Additional gratitude goes to Stephanie Tavs for Marty’s continued medical care and to VITAS Hospice, especially Sara, for their care in Marty’s final days. Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family. An on-line guestbook can be found at www.kurkifuneralchapel.com. (920-921-4420)

Martha "Marty" Jo Myers

September 20, 1944 - December 31, 2024