Lara Marie Martin

Lara Marie Ritter Martin

Lara Marie Ritter Martin was called by God to heaven on September 25, 2017 in Boise, Idaho. Memorial service will be Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the King of Glory Lutheran Church, Boise.

Lara was born to John Thomas and Karen Dania (Christensen) Ritter under the northern lights in Anchorage, Alaska on November 8, 1969. She graduated from South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia in 1987. While in high school she was a member of the orchestra playing violin, and was accomplished with the fiddle. She went onto graduate from Stetson University with degree in psychology with emphasis in geriatrics and social work in 1991.

She married Bernard Martin in 1995 and they enjoyed many adventures on the Florida Beaches. Lara worked as a Social Services Director and an Activities Director for several nursing homes in area of Daytona Beach. She eventually returned to Alaska in 2007 to be near her sister, Teresa. While there she was very involved in ice skating, long hikes, snow shoe trips and cross-country skiing. While at Glacier Bay Natl Park in Alaska Lara enjoyed trips in our boat to fish for halibut and salmon.  Enjoyed getting crabs and working in vegetable garden. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009, Lara moved to Boise, Idaho to be closer to sister Katrina and good medical care. 

Lara always had great desire to help other people including her parents, her sisters and her grandparents. She had great care for all those at the care centers.  She was a blessing to all the people around her at her work.

She is survived by her parents, Karen Dania Ritter and John Thomas Ritter; sisters Katrina and Dave Krueger, Sonja and Carl Valuilis, and Teresa and Andrew Benson; nephews Erik Valuilis and Anthony Valuilis; loving Aunts, Uncle and many cousins. Lara made many special friendships at Avamere Rehab in Boise and Caldwell Care in Caldwell. 

Lara and her family will be forever grateful to her team of health care providers who advocated for Lara’s care and for her quality of life.  A special Thank You to Avamere Transitional Care & Rehab, Caldwell Care, Harrison’s Hope Hospice, Dr. Allen Han, Dr. Cynthia Fairfax, Dr. Nancy Greenwald, Julie Schrader-NP, Mary Floyd, and countless Physicians, Nurses, Aides and others. Lara was touched and greatly appreciative to the many people who showed her by words and actions how much she was loved and cherished.

Memorial contributions are to be made to the Alaska Multiple Sclerosis Society in Lara's name. 3340 Providence Dr., Suite A552, Anchorage, Alaska 99508 or alaskamscenter.org