Frances Nan June Martin , June 04, 1926 — February 19, 2019

Frances (Nan) June Martin, age 92, was born in Everett, Washington. She passed away at her home in Baker City, with her five children surrounding her. A Celebration of Life will be held in Nan’s honor on March 9th, 2019 at the Eagles Club at 2935 H Street in Baker City from 12:00 Noon -3:30 pm.

Nan married Dan Martin in 1944, and they moved to Bellingham, Washington. She took pride in her career as a homemaker, and as a waitress, working at Virginia’s Cafe in Bellingham, before moving the family to Baker City in 1960, then working at the Spudnut Donut Shop, where she saved her weekly earnings to buy a maple dining room set from Gert Neuberger Furniture. She waitressed at the old Blue and White Cafe on Dewey Street, then the new Blue and White on Main, as well as the Fireside Inn for many years.

In 1962, Nan and Dan bought a small homestead at Salisbury Junction where they lived and ranched for over 50 years. They built a house and raised cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and a few horses. For the first 5 years, they had no electricity nor indoor plumbing.

Nan taught her girls to iron their school clothes using irons heated on the kitchen wood stove. Nan was a very nurturing person to anyone needing her help, whether it be human or animal. She especially looked forward to her grandchildren coming out to visit.

She and Dan loved when the family came for dinner. The more the better, with everyone sitting around her maple table eating and telling stories. Nan saved denim jeans and made quilts for all her children in her later years.

She and Dan were together over 75 years before his passing in May of 2018. Nan is survived by her five children: Cherryl Martin, Karen (Tom) Rudolph, Daphne (Lary) Hall, Ilo (Ed) Widman, all of Baker City, and Dann (Betty) Martin of Harper. Also by her sisters Beverly (Don) Diggins of Wallowa, Susan (George) Braughton, and Kathleen (Kerry) Kissire of Baker City, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Bernice Backlund, and brothers William Backlund, Richard Backlund, Roland Backlund, and Leslie Backlund. The family request that donations be made to Heart and Home Hospice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel 1500 Dewey Ave. , Baker City, OR 97814 in lieu of flowers.

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