Ione Martin
Ione Louise Martin, age 90, of Sandwich, IL passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, IL. She was born on March 20, 1935 in Aurora, IL the daughter of Harold and Ida Mae (Benjamin) Skow.
Ione was united in marriage on October 12, 1956 at the Helmar Lutheran Church, to Mr. L Max Martin and they spent the next 42 years happily together until his passing on November 6, 1998. Mrs. Martin formerly attended Helmar Lutheran Church in Newark, IL. She was a member of the United Church of Sandwich in Sandwich, IL. Ione was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother, sister and aunt who will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Ione grew up a farm girl in Helmar, IL. According to her she much preferred helping her Dad with the farm chores thereby getting out of house cleaning. After high school she left the farm and moved into a dorm at Copley School of Nursing and graduated in 1956. She went on to work at Copley Hospital for many years. While in nursing school she made lifelong friends, and they remained a close group to the very end. In March she celebrated her 90th birthday with a surprise birthday party hosted by those special friends. Ione was also a wonderful mother, always there with a listening ear for her kids, no matter how old they were. She never met a stranger, would talk to everyone and was free with her compliments looking to share some happiness with others. And surprisingly, after 42 years of marriage to Max Martin, she just never learned to cuss. She will be greatly missed by many.
Ione is survived by her children, Kimberly Hoadley of St. Charles, IL, Daniel (Ania) Martin of Rensselaer, IN, Kristine (Paul) Banks of Sheridan, IL and Karen Martin of Elkton, KY; her nine grandchildren; as well as many great and great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Carol Fruland of Newark, IL; also nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, L. Max Martin; her sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and LeRoy (Bud) Thanepohn; her brother, James Skow; as well as her brother-in-law, Russell “ Smoky” Fruland and nephew, Robert Fruland.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Nelson Funeral Home, 1010 West South Street, Plano, IL. Interment will be private in the Elmwood Cemetery in Yorkville, IL.
Friends may visit from 4:00 PM until the Hour of Service on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Funeral Home in Plano, IL.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or (630) 553-7611.