Martha Lobmeyer

Martha Ann Lobmeyer, 81, passed away Saturday, August 15, at home in Lakewood, Colorado after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born December 4, 1938 in Pittsburg, Kansas, the ninth child and only daughter of Austin Willis Perry and Nellie Ida Perry (Lathrop).

Martha is survived by her good friend Henry H. Hahne, her brother Clarence, and daughters Kimberly Arnold (Jim) and Anne Holman (Bret). She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband David (1996), her daughter Lea Angela (1992), and her son Stephen (1987).

Martha attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, after starting her musical study at the young age of 5 on piano, clarinet study at age 7, and bassoon in jr. high. She has been a professional musician for 60 years, teaching music privately in Garden City, Kansas then Lakewood, Colorado for piano and woodwinds, specializing in double reed instruments. She also performed as a bassoonist and clarinetist for over 50 years with numerous bands and orchestras, including the Garden City Municipal Band, Garden City Choral Union and Symphony, Broomfield Orchestra, Denver Pops Orchestra (formerly Mostly Strauss Orchestra), the Denver Concert Band, Alpine Winds, the John Philips Sousa Band and the Golden Eagle Concert Band.  She has been a favorite for many years in Denver area schools and retirement homes as a performer in the Denver Concert Band’s Show and Tell Band, amusing students and teachers with her antics on her bassoon, oboe, and clarinet.

Martha was also active in many music organizations including the Garden City Piano Teachers’ League, Music Teachers National Association, Colorado State Music Teachers Association, Foothills Music Teachers’ Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers, and the International Double Reed Society. She initiated into the women’s music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) during college in 1957 and continued to be an active member throughout her life. She served on committees locally and nationally, and held many offices including Recording Secretary, Editor for Staff Signals (receiving honorable mention from the National SAI organization for her work), and President of the Denver Alumnae chapter. Martha was a member of Foothills Music Teacher’s Association in Lakewood, Colorado, serving on various panels and as Secretary and President, throughout the 1990’s. Her piano students participated annually in National Guild Auditions, and many of her instrumental students excelled in state music contests. Martha often arranged and composed music specifically for her students, and has published several teaching pieces with Myklas Music Press of Denver, Colorado.

As a result of her music affiliations, Martha became an avid traveler. With various music ensembles and with her good friend Hank, she visited and toured most of Europe and much of the United States. She loved to take pictures of the interesting sights that she encountered, and always came back with fascinating stories and new friends from worldwide locations.

Not only was Martha devoted to her music, but she was also committed to her family. When her four children were young, she served as room mother, 4-H leader, swim meet official, and mentor and supporter of many sports and activities. She and her husband David were avid bridge players, active in the Garden City chapter of the Iris Club, and Square Dance Club. She was always an accomplished seamstress, winning Grand Champion many times in the Finney County Fair Sewing competition, but once her grandchildren began arriving, she decided that a grandmother should know how to knit, and self-taught, kept her grandchildren supplied with beautifully knit and crocheted baby clothes, dresses, sweaters, blankets, and toys, many of which are now being enjoyed by her great-grandchildren. She continued with her sewing and needlecraft creations until, due to arthritis in her hands, had to choose these or music. Because music was her livelihood, she chose the latter, but she never hesitated to share her expertise, and still occasionally fashioned a new outfit to wear to the many family weddings she attended. She prided herself in attending the wedding of each of her grandchildren, and two years ago attended her 8th, that of her youngest granddaughter, in Tacoma, Washington. She always enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking every opportunity to take family pictures surrounded by her many progenies.

Martha was able to spend her final days at home surrounded by family and friends. She often enjoyed the company of her cat, Maestro T-bone, the most recent of her lifelong animal companions. For those who knew her, she was a cat person, through and through! Martha was blessed to meet her 16th and 17th great-grandchildren via facetime as they were born on July 31, and August 1, respectively. Each of her grandchildren were also able to say goodbye to her either in person, or by phone over the past three weeks. Many times, it made her smile to have this opportunity.

As a family, we would like to thank Helen, Brittany, and all of the members of Martha’s Colorado Palliative and Hospice Care team. They were wonderfully knowledgeable, supportive, and helpful in making her final months more comfortable, allowing her to stay in her home.

Martha will be interred in Tacoma, Washington. Please feel free to leave any thoughts, pictures, or memories of Martha to share with others by signing the tribute wall. Also check back, as we plan to post a link to a memorial service.

Link to memorial service: https://youtu.be/f0Jw5Gj1PfU

Link to graveside service: https://youtu.be/rI6_q711pwc

Link to slideshow: https://youtu.be/lJZAOl4LGb4