Mildred St. Martin

MILDRED ALICE OLIVE ST.MARTIN

Mildred Alice Olive St.Martin, age 89, passed peacefully into Eternal Glory on Saturday, August 10, 2024, in Medical Lake, Washington, surrounded by her children and grandchildren who lovingly cared for her at home as her health declined. There were many opportunities to speak of heaven and their mutual trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and his redemptive work. Mildred spoke of looking forward to seeing her own father for the first time in 83 years. She also spoke of reuniting in heaven with her husband Aaron, grandson Drew, her mother, siblings, and several nieces and nephews, but she said she was most eager to see her Savior first of all!

Mildred was born in Clatskanie, Oregon on July 18, 1935, to Ole and Lovise Johnson. She was the eleventh of thirteen children. Her family moved from Clatskanie to their beloved farm at Eddy Point, Knappa, Oregon in 1937 when Mildred was two years old. The Johnson siblings would remember life on the 160-acre farm located on a bluff above the Columbia River as happy, adventuresome days.

Mildred’s father, Ole, salvaged a sunken gillnet boat at Eddy Point and restored it, and in 1941 he purchased a 38-foot troller, the Niro S, and began shark fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Shark liver brought a good price; however, it required going out over the treacherous Columbia River Bar. On April 23, 1942, Ole and sons Carl and George crossed the bar and didn’t return. Mildred was 6 ½ years old when they were lost at sea.

After the tragedy, the family moved from isolated Eddy Point, accessible only by boat or railroad track, to Astoria, where it would be easier to earn a livelihood and be in fellowship with other Christians. God provided for the family. Olaf, the eldest, had been spared, though he would normally have accompanied his dad. Olaf felt that God had saved him for a purpose and accepted the responsibility God gave him. At twenty-two, he became a stand-in father. He purchased a house for the family on Harrison Street in Astoria. His fishing was the family’s primary support, while Lovise worked outside the home in many different capacities. In Astoria, the whole family was able to attend the Irving Avenue Apostolic Lutheran Church, and later they moved to a larger home where Lovise operated a Nursing Home..

After graduating from Astoria High School in 1953, Mildred moved to Seattle, Washington and worked at an insurance brokerage firm as an endorsement typist. She then moved to Berkeley, California for a few years where she held various jobs in advertising, personnel, and purchasing. Mildred interviewed well and had no trouble finding employment even though she moved frequently and made two lengthy trips to Europe during her single years. She returned to Seattle in 1961 and worked at Swedish Hospital, in the Political Science Library at the University of Washington, and at Ballard Hospital. 

While working at Ballard Hospital, Mildred met Aaron St.Martin in 1963 where he was an orderly and she was working in the office. They married on April 25, 1964, in Seattle, Washington, and lived their first year of marriage in San Diego, California. They returned to Seattle in 1965. During the following nine years in Seattle, Aaron worked as a tailor for Klopensteins, an exclusive men’s clothing store. Their son Aaron Anthony was born in 1965, followed by daughters Gina Marie in 1968, LeAnn Stacy in 1971, and Deanna Michelle in 1973. In 1974 the family ventured to Mildred’s home town of Astoria; their youngest daughter Cynthia Elaine was born the following year in 1975. 

Mildred and Aaron raised their family in Astoria with Aaron working as a tailor, and also in the timber and fishing industries. Mildred was a homemaker, and as the children grew older she operated an Adult Family Home for a number of years, following the same path as her mother and elder sisters. As the children grew up, Mildred and Aaron also lived in Florida and several Washington cities including Vancouver, Longview, Tri-Cities, and Woodland. 

Over the years, Mildred enjoyed singing her favorite hymns, family gatherings, interior design, gardening, crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She is most known for her soft spoken, quiet demeanor. She never had a bad word to say about anyone. Mildred’s family was of utmost importance to her. She remained very close to her siblings, was devoted to her children and grandchildren, and loved becoming a great-grandmother. 

In their final retirement years, Mildred and Aaron resided with their children. After Aaron passed away on July 4, 2020, Mildred spent most of her time with daughter Cindy and her family in Medical Lake, Washington.

The evening before her homegoing, while her family was standing around her bedside, Mildred opened her eyes and said, “Someone should take a picture of this. It’s so beautiful!” Her family observed that she was not looking at them when she spoke and believe she saw a glimpse of heaven. Mildred shared with her children that her number one wish and prayer is that all of her family will remain in faith and she will see them again in heaven. As Mildred’s time on earth was coming to a close, her children were able to commend her into the Lord’s care by saying, “You can go to Jesus now, Mom.”

Mildred is survived by her children Anthony (Karen) St.Martin of Kennewick, WA; Gina (Kevin) Matson of Reardon, WA; LeAnn (Konstantinos) Konstantindis of Vancouver, WA; Deanna (David) Warren of Woodland, WA; and Cindy (Timothy) Mattila of Medical Lake, WA; 26 Grandchildren; 6 Great Grandchildren, and one Great Grandchild on the way, and brother Ben (Carol) Johnson of Astoria, OR.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Aaron St.Martin, her parents Ole & Lovise Johnson, grandson Drew St.Martin, 11 siblings, and 6 nieces/nephews.

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God, in him will I trust. “

Psalm 91:2

Please join the family at the church for a reception following the graveside service.

Thank you from the St.Martin family for all of your thoughts and prayers on their behalf.