Martha Jane Latty

Martha J. Latty, 86, passed away on February 21, 2021 at Ascension Via Christi hospital in Pittsburg, KS after a short illness. She was born December 11, 1934 in Pittsburg, where she lived most of her life, to William (Bud) Bill and Lillian (Trout) Bill. She attended Pittsburg schools and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1953.

She was baptized in the Methodist faith. Martha was married in the First United Methodist Church to Daniel D. Latty by Rev. Lloyd Rising on April 15, 1956. She sang in the choir for many years and attended church regularly throughout her life. Martha was a very friendly person and caring and helping others came naturally to her. Nick and Artie, as they were known to family and friends, lived in the same house in Pittsburg for over 50 years. For many years they hosted annual Christmas parties for their neighbors. She would often go door to door taking up a collection to purchase flowers and cards for the family when someone in the neighborhood died. She would check in with friends and neighbors, offering to take them to appointments if needed, most times before they would even ask.

Caring for family members was also very important to Artie. She was close to both of her sisters, living next door to Mary Jean most of her life. Jo Ann moved often with her Army husband until settling in Pittsburg again at retirement and it was important to her to visit both regularly as their health declined. She made a point to send cards to her children, grandchildren, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and to their children, as well as to many of her friends every year for birthdays and anniversaries. She looked after her unmarried aunt and uncles when they became older, making sure their needs were met until they died. She corresponded weekly with one uncle and kept his colorful letters for many years.

Artie volunteered as a Pink Lady for sixty years at Mt. Carmel (now Ascension Via Christi), serving as Auxiliary President the year the hospital opened at its current location. For fifty of those years, Artie and one of her best friends, the late Jackie Wright, donated their time working the coffee cart each week. Before the hospital was remodeled, she also worked in the snack bar and later worked behind the scenes for the hospital gift shop. Nick and Artie were supporters for their children’s activities from elementary to high school including PTA, school carnivals, athletics, and high school marching band.

They enjoyed travelling, whether locally or across the country. When the children were younger, they often took the camper to Roaring River with family and friends. They enjoyed long trips to visit family members from Arizona to Illinois, or just a local drive so Nick could check out the salvage yards for car parts. Over the years they visited many cities and states. They often talked about a favorite being a three-week road trip in the fall to the northeast with Nick’s cousin and her husband.

Nick passed away March 25, 2012. Artie continued to live in Pittsburg until breaking a hip in 2017 and moved to an independent living duplex at Oakview Estates in Frontenac. As long as she was able, she continued visiting with family and friends, including joining her high school classmates on the last Friday of the month for lunch. When she wasn’t able to drive any more, she would check in with a call instead. She moved inside the Oakview assisted living building in 2019 and enjoyed her time there with the family of wonderful residents and workers.

In addition to Nick, she was also preceded in death by her parents; her sisters and their spouses Mary Jean and Jim McWilliams and Jo Ann and Bill Hollenbeck; in-laws Ray Konek and Betty and Sid Hurlburt; a niece and two great nephews.

She is survived by a daughter Kathy (Bob) Benard; a son Doug (Jane) Latty; two grandchildren Carolyn and Nick Latty; sister-in-law Mary Lou Konek; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Due to the current pandemic, Artie will be cremated and services will be held at a future date. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Carmel Auxiliary, the First United Methodist Church, or the American Cancer Society. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.

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