Karin Esther Martin

Karin Esther Martin, 70, born on January 27, 1947 in Bederkesa, Germany, passed away July 27, 2017. She resided in Upland, California at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Covina, California.
Karin Esther Martin was born on January 27, 1947 to Seth Walter Martin and Maria Magdalena Elizabeth Grunwald in a little town called Bederkesa, which is outside of Bremerhaven. She lived in Germany for 2 years, and then accompanied her mom and dad to her Father's home state of Pennsylvania. They lived in New Castle, Pennsylvania for a while where Karin started school. She came back in tears on her first day because she couldn't understand the teacher and no one could understand her either. Her mother Maria went to the school and found a bilingual teacher. Karin learned from her classmates, and both her mother and Karin learned English watching programs on TV during the 50's.
Later her father was transferred to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. This is the time her brother was born, John Richard Martin. Later on they moved to Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. Her brother Stephen Walter Martin was born at this time.
Now it's 1957, time to move again with her parents to Madrid, Spain. They lived there for over 4 years, where she became very proficient in Spanish. Upon arrival in Spain the family was met by their sponsor Carl Benchoff and his wife Carmen. The family stayed in touch with the Benchoff's until they met again at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California.
We moved again in the sixties. It was in a State way up north, Wurtsmith Air Force Base in the town of Oscoda. She indicated that she loved snow again because cold temperatures. At that time her mother became a Ceramics instructor for the serviceman's club at Wurtsmith Air Force Base.
In the summer of 1965 she came to the state of California, her father retired from the Air Force and decided to live in California permanently. In December of 1971 I was involved in a car accident where my fiancé was killed. We were forced off the highway; unfortunately they weren't required to wear seat belts in those years, so Karin was thrown from the vehicle and sustained a brain injury. She underwent an operation on her brain to relieve the swelling while she remained in a coma. She was transferred to Casa Colina Hospital after coming out of the coma where she received Rehabilitation Therapy.
Karin attended First Presbyterian Church in Upland with her father, mother, and brothers. She stated that she had fond memories of the Presbyterian Congregation and Pastors, and she was sad when she was unable to attend regular services. If she was here today she would thank you for all of your prayers and support.
Unfortunately Karin went home on July 27th, 2017 to be with her mother Maria and brother Steven.