August 27, 1956-July 12, 2013.
Dolly Martin, of Pagosa Springs, died Friday July 12, 2013, at her home, surrounded by family and love after a 13-year battle with cancer. Dolly was of the ripe age of 57.
Born to Lucille A. and Matthew P. Vukelich in Orr, Minn., she was the youngest of three children.
Dolly was always on the go! She was a caretaker and so hardworking all at the same time. She was an amazing beloved mother, wife, Grammy, sister, aunt, friend, employee and so much more. She was truly irreplaceable.
She was employed as the maintenance and transportation director with the Archuleta School District 50 Jt. Dolly loved being a “Pirate” and the “Bus Boss.” She loved her job dearly and it showed. Her work ethic would have made John Henry proud. Dolly lived every day to the fullest and always with a smile, positive attitude and helpful and caring way.
Dolly was married to Harry (Lavern) Martin on Dec. 31, 1974. They enjoyed traveling many miles on the road together, listening to tunes and being with family and friends. Dolly loved spending time with her grandchildren, being adventurous, traveling and camping or teaching them how to cook. And what a cook Dolly was! Dolly also enjoyed making jewelry and she was a gifted seamstress, fashioning purses, bed spreads and her crafty recycled grocery bags.
Dolly loved being on the water and in the sunshine and camping at the lake. She loved to water ski and downhill and cross-country ski. She also loved to soak in the hot springs with family and friends. She was a true Northlander. She loved to cook traditional family recipes from poticia, to a wild rice hot dish and the best homemade chicken noodle soup. She was also a lover of everything sweet. She loved candy, her sister’s homemade desserts and anything sugary and delicious. It must be what fueled her own generosity and sweet and thoughtful ways. Dolly was a caretaker through and through and always put the needs of others before hers up until the final days of her life. She was a fighter of cancer and never gave up hope. She defied the odds every step of the way.
Dolly is survived by her husband of 39 years, Harry Martin, of Pagosa Springs; her son Leon (Rachel) Martin of Durango and her grandchildren Canaan and Lucy; her son Justin (Michelle) Martin of Pagosa Springs and her grandchildren Gabriel, Gavin and Grady Martin of Eau Claire, Wisc.; her grandchildren Braden and Brittney Sjoblom, formerly of Pagosa Springs; her stepdaughter Faith Martin of Mondovi, Wisc., and her grandchildren Courtney, Quintin, and Emma; her granddaughter Trisha Greeno; and her sister Lulu (Randy) Fry and brother Tony Vukelich both of Orr, Minn., where Dolly was raised. She is preceded in death by her stepdaughter Unity (John) Sjoblom formerly of Pagosa Springs.
Dolly is also survived by several treasured nieces, nephews, sister- and brothers-in-law, cousins, aunts, uncles, pets, strays, chickens, friends, co-workers and so many more. Dolly treasured everyone she came across, yet she was the real treasure! She will be intensely missed and forever in our hearts and by our sides.
Please join us in a Celebration of Life at Pagosa Springs High School auditorium on Saturday, July 20, from 1-3 p.m. Please help us honor this amazing spirit by bringing a sweet treat to share, as well as a treasured thought or story, or simply to show your respects.
