Dr. Wallis Martha Stemm

GILBERT – Dr. Wallis Martha Stemm, 73, of Gilbert, Arizona, loving wife of Robert Stemm, passed on April 15, 2021. The couple would have celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary this April 25. At her request, no service will be held.

Mrs. Stemm was born May 5, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois to Johanna Bellisimo and Robert Ora Coombs. She moved to Arizona in 1972 and lived and worked all over Southern Arizona, both in Phoenix and Tucson, first in the real estate industry and later, in higher education. She also ran a campaign for Mayor of Tucson in 1975.

As a real estate professional, she co-owned her own real estate company in the valley for many years before deciding to return to academia, earning a doctorate degree in Adult and Higher Education. Thereafter she dedicated herself to the needs of adult learners as the Center Dean at the Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University, before stepping back to enjoy time with her family. She continued to teach classes even in retirement.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Stemm, her daughters, Allison Kathka Hymel (Paul), Brenda Kathka Aiken (Robert), and Courtney Kathka Bruno (Jim), her grandchildren, Emily (Andrew) Berman, Camille (aka Mimi) Hymel, Josephine Bruno, Luke Bruno, Brittainy (Jason) Takinen, Aaron (Sarah) Aiken, Garrett Aiken, and her many great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Myrna Sorce, Robert Coombs, Sharon Kazmer, LaFern Anders and Lynn Coombs.

She is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Johanna Coombs, her brother Daniel Coombs, and her prior husband Eugene Thale, Jr.