Frances Martin

On March 23rd, 1937, one of the largest dust storms of the Midwest roared through the small
Kansas town of Elkhart and, some time in the early morning hours, Frances "Dusty" Theolin
Martin was born. The 2nd of 9 children born to Ray Emmett and Ruth Irene, Dusty and her
family spent many years moving from small town to small town throughout southwest Kansas.

Around Dusty's 7th grade year they settled in Ellsworth Kansas, where she attended Ellsworth
High and made lifelong friends. Growing up, she enjoyed singing in choir, reading and dancing.
Family gatherings on the farm were among her favorite past times. In the late 1950's Dusty,
along with her parents and 3 of her siblings, moved to Topeka. She met James "Jim" Martin in
1957 and the two were married a short time later on October 18th, 1958 at Gage Park Baptist
Church. They settled down and made a home in Topeka, later having 3 children - Lisa Gayle,
Bradley James, and Lori Ann. The Martin family would travel often - usually driving to Georgia
and Arizona to visit family. Exploring all the sights along the way, great memories were made
during these family vacations that are still treasured to this day. Dusty took great pride in being
a wife and a mother, and often said her true calling was to be a homemaker, at which she went
above and beyond. She worked for Security Benefit for 7 years, then Cox Cable, and First
Benefits, after which she decided to retire from the workforce. In 1986 she became a
grandmother and in 2010 a great-grandmother.

The lives touched by Dusty's gracious and enormous heart are uncountable. A lifelong
Christian, Dusty's faith only grew stronger with age. As a young mother being busy at home,
she was often unable to attend church as often as she would have liked. Therefore, Dusty
developed her own unique, unbreakable relationship with Our Lord, that she cherished until the
day he called her home.

She left this earth on Sunday, December 1st, 2019, at the age of 82 to join her husband Jim
(Dec. 2008), siblings Ruthene (Dec. 1997), Elysabeth "Liz" (Dec. 2006), William "Bill" (Dec. 1982),
and parents Ray (Dec. 1982) and Ruth (Dec. 1992). She is survived by her children Lisa Martin,
Brad Martin (Coleen), and Lori Martin, all of Topeka; Grandchildren Sara Myer (Greg), Brady
Martin (Samantha), Lindsey Martin, and Bradley Martin Jr., all of Topeka; Great-grandchildren
Morgyn, Weston, Luna, Theodore, Grayson, Logan and Berkeley; Siblings Don Wiseman (MO),
Susan Geiger (IL), Debra Wiseman (MO), David Lyon (NM), and Carol "Katy" Shaffer (CA).

A funeral ceremony for Dusty will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday December 7th, at Mount Hope
Cemetery and Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka. Dusty's only request of those who
attend the service was to "wear something bright!" The family will greet friends at 10:00 am, an
hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Born with a lifelong love for animals, Dusty requested any donations be made to Helping
Hands Humane Society 5720 SW 21st Topeka, KS 66604-3720 in Topeka.

To leave a message for Dusty's family online, please visit the guestbook below.