She was born in McPherson, on July 31, 1932, the daughter of Elwin Arthur and Zelma Jane (Kirk) Hellman. From the age of four, she lived with her grandmother, Martha Hellman, in Eureka. She attended local schools and graduated from Eureka High School with the class of 1950. Martha worked for attorneys and abstractors in Eureka and was known as one of Eureka’s best typists.

In 1967, Martha married Reverend Gerald Stice. In 1974, she was united in marriage to Roy Elwood Strong. Both husbands preceded her in death.

Martha committed her life to Christ and joined the Jefferson Street Baptist Church in 1967. She served as the church secretary for 52 years. She was a member of the Eureka Business Women (formerly known as Business and Professional Women) for 69 years.

Martha is survived by three nephews and a niece: James and wife, Dotty Hellman and family of Wichita; Sondra Branson and family of Hutchinson; Robert and wife, Julie Hellman of Colorado; and John and wife, Mary Hellman of Virginia; sister-in-law, Dorothy Hellman of Colorado; step-daughter, Brenda Little of Neosho, Mo.; son by choice Bruce Gjertson of Philadelphia, Pa.; special cousins, Thedda and Kent Olson, and Andrew Dean and Gila Peterson and daughters, Christy Keeler and Tina Schlotterback; special friend and caregiver, Norma Alexander; kind caregiver, Phyllis Scott; her church family, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, her parents, her grandmother, and siblings, Leroy, Paul and Pauline Hellman.

Interment was made at Greenwood Cemetery on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Memorial services will be held at a later date at the Jefferson Street Baptist Church, Eureka.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Jefferson Street Baptist Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.