Fern Martin

Fern Martin, 88, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, September 08, 2011. Fern was born September 3, 1923, in Arcola, MO, daughter of Charles P. and Rachel L. (Withrow) Hawks. She graduated from Lockwood High School and Springfield Teacher's College. Fern was a career teacher for Topeka USD 501. She was a lifelong member of Central Church of Christ and a charter member of Topeka Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

She married Joseph Martin in September 1948. Fern is survived by her daughter, Pamela Friesner, Topeka; son, Jay (Betty) Martin, Ft. Worth, TX; six grandchildren, Samuel Friesner, Rachel (Alan) Lambert, Ariel Friesner, Meghan Martin, Meredith (Bryan) McDermott, and Seth Martin; and three great-grandsons, Caleb Lambert, Lincoln Lambert, and Sean Lambert.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Drury, Charles, Thomas, and Warren Hawks, and sisters, Madge Wilson, Mary Bettis, and Lois Barrow.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2011, at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to Central Church of Christ, 1250 College Ave., Topeka, KS 66604 or Topeka Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, PO Box 67511, Topeka, KS 66667.