Martha Showers (Marty), formerly of Woodruff and Cottage Grove, passed away at the age of 87 under Hospice in Rhinelander at Rennes Rehab. That was her home for the last 3 plus years. She loved the staff at Rennes! Everyone loved Marty and she loved everyone there. She enjoyed bingo, Happy Hour, arts & crafts, the Springtime Pie Social, and going to the big summer picnic. She also loved having her hair done there. 

She was born to John and Alma Kneebone on November 17,1938. Oh, how she hated that name! She loved her "new" last name when she got married to Donald Showers in Beloit, WI, in 1966. They were married 40 years until Don passed away in 2006.

Martha taught first grade for 8 years and third grade for 3 years in Beloit. Her longest job was being a CNA for 31 years at different locations. At times she had more than one job to make ends meet. During these times, she would nap in car between jobs. She had a great work ethic!

On her days off, she loved to go to thrift stores.  She would ask any friends, her granddaughter Lindsey, or daughter Nancy, and then she would ask someone to go to lunch. She always wanted to be busy. Once you met Marty, you had a friend for life. She never gave up on anyone.

Marty also enjoyed fishing! She loved fishing in a boat or on shore. She was easy to please with a picnic lunch. Marty also enjoyed getting "pampered" by getting her hair done. 

Marty and Nanc talked every day, several times a day, until she moved in with them. If Nanc was having a bad day and called her, she would always say, "Child, this too shall pass." In 2008, she moved in with Nancy and John Dinga. Those were some great days! Nanc would drive her to Maidson to see old friends, take her to St. Mary's Hospital for her weekly magnesium treatment, get her hair done, and go to Burger King.

In 2022, Marty had tummy surgery that left her very weak. She was not able to walk at all. She ended up in a rehab center. She went to 2 before she was blessed to get into Rennes Rehabilitation Center in Rhinelander. She just loved it there!

Marty was also known as player! In 2011, Nanc introduced her to a guy and hit it off. Her and DJ were "together" for 7 years. In the midst of her time with DJ, she met another guy named JJ. They would go on dates to Red Lobster often. Neither knew about the other. JJ passed away in 2014, and DJ passed away in 2018. Then, she met Ski in 2018. He would take her for drives to Michigan to visit his family. Ski passed away in 2023. Marty started looking for another guy and met John at Bingo. She met him in December of 2023, and he passed away in October 2024. Marty outlived all of her boyfriends, even with all her health problems!

Marty is survived by her "adopted" daughters Kelly Kluge of Baraboo, Nanc (John) Dinga of Woodruff, and Danielle Kuhl of Evansville, her grandchildren Kim (Steve) Motelet, Mike (Jennifer) Dinga, Lindsey (Tyler) Hendrickson, Dan (Brenda) Dinga, Jenna Harrison, Winston Kluge, and Beckham Kuhl, and great grandchildren Hunter (Mina) DeWitt, Jason Kluge, Wally Harrison, Alex Dinga, and Greyson Hendrickson. She is further survived by her brother-in-law Bill Crosley and family, sister-in-law Betty and Dennis McKirahan and family, and many nieces and nephews and a huge number of friends who were like family! Waiting for her in Heaven are her parents, her dear sister Jane Crosley, her brother Bob Kneebone, and her brother-in-law Bob Showers. 

The family would like to thank everyone that was involved in Martha's care over the years--staff at Rennes, St. Mary's hospital in Madison, Dr. Christine Hook at Wild Wood Clinic in Madison, her Hospice team, Dr. Gabert and all the staff at the Marshfield Clinic in Minocqua. She loved you all so much!

The family requests no flowers please and per Marty's request, please dress casually! The Christian funeral will be held at Bryn Mawr Church in Cottage Grove at 229 N. Main St., on April 18, 2026. Visitation will start at 10 am. The service will be at 11:30 am and lunch will follow. Parking is available in the back of the church.

God saw you getting weary, and did what seemed the best, just came and stood beside you and whispered...come and rest. 

Mom! We will always love you!