Rita H. Martinsen
March 22, 1925 - December 19, 2010
Obituary
Rita Martinsen, age 85 died peacefully on Sunday, 12/19 in Bellevue. She was born March 22, 1925 in Mr. Vernon, Washington. Rita graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing June 1946. She passed the State Board exam and has been active in Nursing since graduation. In 1946, she was employed with Skagit General Hospital as Staff nurse, also Nursing and Delivery Surgical and Staff Nurse at Rowley General in Mt. Vernon, WA late 1946 and 1947. In 1948, after the birth of her two children in Yakima, Washington, she did Specialing during her free time. In 1952, she was employed at Kennewick General Hospital while her husband worked at Hanford on construction for three years. She worked in surgery for 6 months, then in Delivery and Emergency and during last year of her employment, she worked as Staff Nurse rotating between Charge and Medicines. In 1955, she was Office Nurse for Dr. Carnell in Pasco, one year, general practice. 1955 – 1958, she was employed by Dr. Harry DeMaris in Kennewick as sole employee in practice general medicine. In free time, she worked as a relief nurse in Drs. Offices in Pasco. From 1962 – 1967, she was employed at Skagit Valley Hospital as Charge Nurse on medical floor. Also relieved as Evening Supervisor, covering Emergency Room. From 1967 – 1970, she was employed at Burien General Hospital as Staff Nurse on Medical Floor rotating charge between Medicines to CCU. In 1970, she was employed as Office Nurse for Gilbert K. Schalbe, MD, Seahurst Medical Center Specialty – Cardiology and Internal Medicine. She was experienced in EKGs and every phase of general nursing.
Rita is survived by her daughters, Vicki David Breaux and Catherine Harold Drews; 9 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Al Franzen Wylie; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Martinsen in 2004; 2 sons, Philip and Randy; great-granddaughter, Danielle Rising; one brother, Bud Parker and sister Neva Reed. Viewing will on Sunday, 12/26 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm and on Monday from 9:00 am until the service. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, 12/27 at 10:00 am at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 206 242-1787.
I had the privelege of knowing Rita while she was still able to attend Resurrection Lutheran church. We had many good conversations and as many have said; she was a lovely and gracious lady. My sympathy to all of her family-I am sorry for your loss.
Dear Mother
Thank you for all you did and the good times we had together. Thank you for being my greatest supporter and encouraging me to be all that I can be. I will carry your love with me always.
Catherine
Dear Catharine,
My thoughts are with you at this time. I know how close you and your mother were and I can only imagine what you must be going through right now.
Your mom was one of the kindest, wisest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever known. Even though you and I are thousands of miles apart right now, please know that I’m praying for you. I know that you have the strength in you to move on and I want to remind you that I’m here for you. I’d like to spend some time with you when I return to Seattle. When we return I’ll call you to find out when I can visit.
Take care,
Carrie
Catherine and Mom and I so sorry that I could not be there and I miss you and grandma very much and I hope that she knew how much I love her.
We say good bye to a beautiful and grazious lady. Rita, you were loved by us and we so much appreciated and enjoyed the times we spent with you over the years.
We celebrate your life and remember you fondly.
Many staff speak so fondly of Rita and all she did for patients and staff when she worked for Group Health at the Federal Way Medical Center. Rita touched the lives of many patients during some of their most vulnerable times. The Federal Way Medical Center staff have all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Jayne O’Donnell
Clinical Operations Manager
Federal Way Medical Center
Rita was a lovely and gracious lady. I worked with her at the Federal Way Group Health Clinic for many years. I extend my sincere sympathy to her daughters and family.
I guess it was forgotten that Rita had 2 step daughters, Kathy Martinsen Quimby and myself Lynn Martinsen Dycus.
Rita was loved and will be missed. Although I didn’t see her often she was loved. I am so happy that I got to spend Thanksgiving with her.
Mom, I will miss our nightly calls together. Thank you for all you taught me and in becoming a good wife and mother. I love you so much and you will be in my heart always. Your loving daughter, Vicki
Rita was a very special friend. I will miss her greatly, but rejoice with her that she is celebrating Christmas in Heaven. She was always gracious, beautiful, and kind to all. A lovely lady!!