Martha Proppe

Martha was born in Lubimirka, Ukraine on May 25, 1934, to her parents Friedrich and Melitta Janke (nee Sass). After having survived the perils of WWII, the Janke family immigrated to Canada and worked in the sugar beet fields of Coaldale, Alberta. After two years they moved to Calgary, and finally found a place to call home.

Martha attended Bridgeland Baptist Church where she met Irvin and were married on August 10, 1957. They built their first home in Cambrian Heights and were blessed with their three children –Jerry in 1959, John in 1962, then Carolyn in 1965. Martha was not afraid of work, and over her lifetime she had various careers which included being a nanny, a factory worker, a restaurant owner and cook, a realtor, owner of Martha’s Draperies and Scenic Waters Bed & Breakfast. 

In 1978, Irvin and Martha built their dream home on the banks of the Bow River in Springbank where she loved gardening and tending all her animals. Martha hosted many family and church gatherings. She became a talented artist and painted many works over the years. She loved music and would often sing and play her accordion. Martha wrote a book about her life, “Through Sunshine and Shadows” a testament of her faith and her legacy. 

Martha will always be remembered for her energy, hospitality, perseverance, and courage, her smile, laughter, kindness, her faith, her many talents, and her sacrificial love and devotion for her family. Martha Proppe passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the age of 88. 

She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends.