Obituary of Martha Jane Peterson

Martha was born February 22, 1947, at St. Al’s Hospital, Boise. The fifth of seven children of Roy and June Peterson. She joined sisters Mary and Margie, and brothers Andy and Jim. John and Pete came along later.

Martha passed away at St. Al’s January 14, 2023 after suffering severe head trauma from a fall at home.

Martha was a lifelong resident of Idaho. She attended St Mary’s and Sacred Heart grade schools. She attended St. Teresa Academy, and was in the first graduating class at Bishop Kelly (1965). After graduating high school, Martha briefly attended the College of Idaho before going back to Creighton University for her nursing degree. Nursing became her lifelong vocation. Martha was proud of the fact that she was one of the first nurse practitioners in Idaho. Martha was an exceptional caregiver and earned the respect of the medical community. As one doctor said, “She was a force to be reckoned with”.

Martha had two failed attempts at marriage. It was during this time that her life changed completely with the addition of her son John Murphy. John was the focus of Martha’s life thereafter. John gave Martha the greatest gifts of her life, her grandchildren, Abbi, Joseph (JP), Mark and Annie. Martha, later in life, was blessed with 2 more grand and 2 great grandchildren, Samm, Kaed, Clare, and Charlotte. To put it simply, she loved John and the kids more than is humanly possible.

Besides family and friends Martha had an appreciation and love for her work, travel, baseball, flowers (roses), and her pool. Asked of her friends and classmates to share some memories, the following best sums up Martha -  

“I don’t have a story about Martha but would say, if asked, succinctly, that she was a woman of great integrity and kindness. She had a sincere care for and desire for her friends best interests and success. She was unselfish. She had old fashioned qualities one could almost describe as rare in today’s world. May she rest in peace.” J.S.

There will be a viewing and rosary Sunday evening, January 29, 2023 at Summers Funeral Home starting at 5:00PM. A funeral mass will be held Monday, January 30th, at 11:00AM at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery.

Martha had a love for Bishop Kelly and flowers. Please make memorials to Bishop Kelly’s garden fund.

Martha you left a big void and we will all miss you.

Say hi to Mom and Dad.