Martha Helen Junker

Martha Helen Junker passed away at her home in Albuquerque,

July 1, 2021. Martha was born on October 30, 1929, to Everett and Helen McKinley in Kendallville, IN. She graduated from University High School in Kalamazoo, MI and married J. Peter Junker in 1950. Martha had worked as an executive assistant at Gibson Guitars in Kalamazoo, MI for 18 years. The couple and their three children moved to New Mexico in 1972. She provided daycare out of her home in Sandia Heights for many years. She was loved and appreciated not only by her family but by the numerous other families whose children she cared for and loved throughout the week. She was preceded in death by her husband Pete and sister Betty. Martha is survived by her three children: Mark of Falls City, NE, Sue and her husband Sam Boren and Tim and his wife Jennifer all of Albuquerque. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her interests were many and included gardening, bowling, camping, fishing, playing penny slots and cutting wood up on Rowe Mesa to heat the home in the winter. She never met a stranger or had a bad word to say to anyone. Martha disliked elevators, airplanes and snakes, generally anything resembling a confined space or constriction. She would put ice cubes in her beer to keep it cool. Martha was a breast cancer survivor, a supporter of many local charities and a ruthless cardsharp. She loved old westerns and hated rough language. She would put green chile on just about anything but would never put anyone down and through it all, when there was doubt, she ate life up and spit it out. She faced it all and stood tall and did it her way. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. The family would like to thank Neptune Society, Visiting Angels, New Mexico Hospice and all the neighbors that lived by her for your tender support and kind hearts. There will be a celebration of life for family and close friends later in the year.