Martha Laura Bok February 20, 1922 – January 17, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card COLUMBIA CITY: Martha Laura Bok, 96, of rural Columbia City, was called to her heavenly home on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 12:40 p.m. She was born February 20, 1922 in Pierce, Nebraska, a daughter of the late Alfred J. and Anna C. (Winter) Goeglein. Her family located to Defiance, Ohio where she graduated from high school. She worked as a secretary at Swift and Company in Defiance.
She then attended both Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, Illinois and Seward, Nebraska, earning a teacher’s certificate. Her greatest love was teaching kindergarten. In later years she worked as a bookkeeper and tax consultant.
On September 24, 1950 she was united in marriage to Wilbert E. Bok who was a Missouri Synod Lutheran Minister. They made their first home in Deep River, Iowa. Their ministry took them also to Ohio, Indiana, Ontario, Canada, Missouri and Illinois.
After retiring, the couple made their home in Sherwood, Ohio and for the past seven years, Columbia City. Rev. Bok died May 15, 2015.
A full-time homemaker raising their children, she also assisted with her husband’s parish duties. She is fondly remembered as a great cook and baker. She found joy in whatever task she performed whether it was gardening, singing in the choir or preparing the church bulletin.
Her good cheer was infectious. She was an accomplished seamstress sewing for her children. She also enjoyed quilting.
An avid reader – she delighted in a good book, especially the Good Book. In her senior years, her grandchildren became her priority and she loved to spend time with them. She is survived by her five children, Dr. Lisa (John) Hatcher of Columbia City, Paula (Don) Avirett of Amarillo TX, Dr. Robert (Helen) Bok of Hayward CA, Laura (Dennis) Goff of Fort Wayne and Thomas (Karen) Bok of Ellicott City MD; grandchildren, Melissa (Seth) LaRue, Michael Hart, Laura (Tyler) Anderson, Dr. Nathaniel (Erin) Avirett, Thaddeus Goff, Theodore (Elizabeth) Goff, Joseph (Rebecca) Bok and Seth Bok; great-grandchildren, Lucy, Jude, Bela & Bryn LaRue, Jude & Samuel Avirett and Truett Burciaga, Liam & Lochlan Anderson; and a sister, Paula Antrainer, St. Charles, MO.
Additionally, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Anna Marie Bok; a son, Timothy James Bok; a great-grandson, Timothy LaRue; two brothers, Robert & Martin Goeglein and a sister, Theodora Heidepreim. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 2465 West Keiser Road, Columbia City with visitation after 12 noon. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sherwood, Ohio.
Preferred memorials are to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), St. John Lutheran Church in Columbia City or St. John Lutheran Church Choir in Sherwood, Ohio.
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