On October 7, 2020, Mary “Rosalie” Martin returned to her heavenly home at age 87 after a valiant battle with a long illness.
Rosalie was born to the late Frederick and Caroline Karleskint in Fort Scott, KS on May 2, 1933. She was blessed to be part of a large and loving family with her twelve siblings. Many knew Rosalie as Rose or Rosie, which was a fitting name for a woman who loved flowers as she did. The surest way to put a smile on Rosie’s face was with a bouquet. Along with being a gardener, Rosalie learned to play the piano as an adult and was an avid reader throughout her life. She will be remembered for her blue eyes that shone even brighter when she smiled, her elegant style and her queenly bearing.
Rosalie married Raymond Cannon in 1954. Raymond proceeded her in death in 1957. She entered the workforce after being widowed at an early age. She worked as a housekeeper for Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church while raising two daughters Karen (Rex) Hall and Alice (Larry) Maffett. She played the role of mother and father in a time when that was not common. Despite these struggles, she provided an indelible example of self-reliance, fortitude and grace in the face of adversity.
Rosalie married Colonel James “Jim” Martin on May 23, 1967 in Fort Scott, KS. Through this union she gained a son, Larry (Debra) Martin and a daughter, Joyce (Ken) Johnson. Rosalie and Jim expanded their family with the addition of sons Bryan (Jan) Martin and Brad (Angie) Martin. Her legacy of love has grown to include ten grandchild and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Rosalie supported Jim’s business ventures throughout their 53 years of marriage. She was a home-maker, the business bookkeeper and, when necessity called, the occasional ranch hand.
Rosalie was a woman of deep faith and a beloved member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Fort Scott, KS. It was through her love of God Sister Rosalie demonstrated the message of Ephesians 4:29. Rosalie often remarked at how blessed she was to share her life with a man who treasured her such as Jim did. And in his Rose, Jim found a woman spoke of in Proverbs 31:10-13.
Rosalie is survived by her beloved husband, Jim; her children; grandchildren; and great-grandchild; her siblings Alice Murray, Patricia Hobbs, Marjorie Cook and Tom Karleskint; as well as many other loved ones both near and far. She is preceded in death by her siblings Rita Godwin, Esther DeLange, Leo James Karleskint, Joan Greenfield, Carol Karleskint, William “Doc” Karleskint, Betty Young, and Ruth Umlauf.
Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 12th at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Ft. Scott. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Apostolic Pentecostal Church or the Leukemia Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
