Martha Fern King

Martie King -April 26, 1927 to January 21, 2020

Martha Fern was born in Mexico, Missouri, in April 1927. She was the youngest daughter in a family of 7 kids, led by their wonderful parents, Iva Mae and Russell Packham. She grew up in Missouri and over the years shared many memories of her family and life there. Her early marriages in Missouri brought her son Steven, and daughter Susan, into her life.

On January 1, 1958, she decided to relocate to California for warmer temperatures and to be near her parents, sister & brother-in-law and their family. In August that year, she arrived in Los Angeles. She quickly found an apartment and a job and began enjoying her new life here. Her life took a wonderful turn when she met her future husband, Gordon King. They married a year later and soon began a family together. Rusty, and Julie brought them more happiness, and completed the family.

Life was filled with adventures of all kinds, including RVing and a second home in Big Bear, CA, that the whole family treasured. During the late '60s and early '70s most weekends were spent camping along the Ventura coast. Followed in the '80s by working on the cabin in the summertime and skiing in the winter months. Many years there created happy memories for the family and the many friends that visited them there.

After they retired, Martie and Gordon became camp hosts for the California State Park system and spent many happy weeks in their motor home with other volunteers at Silver Strand State Park in Coronado Island. They lived in Laguna Woods until Gordon's need for additional assistance brought them to Hollenbeck Palms, he passed in 2005 and Martie survived him for another 14 years. She had a long history with Hollenbeck, since her parents and sister, Jean, retired and lived there until they passed. Martie had a great life, and she lived it her way. We will remember her for as long as we live.