Alice L. Martin, 95, of Goshen, Ind., died Nov. 5, 2020. She was born April 10, 1925, to Chauncey and Lomie (Detweiler) Kropf in Hubbard, Ore.

On Nov. 3, 1946, she married Roy Martin.

She was a member of Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen. Her employment included cooking in a school cafeteria and clerical work.

A transplant from Oregon at age 16, her heart found its true home on the North Dakota prairie. In her quiet way, her hospitality spoke volumes. She and Roy had an open door for friends and strangers alike. Delicious meals often ended with her legendary pies, which had the power to convert dessert nonbelievers. Carefully tended gardens provided for the family, their bounty preserved in jars that transformed the “fruit room” into a colorful work of art. An excellent seamstress, she made clothing and pieced hundreds of comforter tops for her family and Mennonite Central Committee.

She and Roy loved to travel and stay connected to their scattered family and friends. Their love for these folks was generous and unwavering. She was a loyal friend, making regular phone calls to folks from all decades of her life. She was a keeper of memories: Stories and genealogy could keep conversations going late into the night.

She lives on in the lessons she taught us: always extend hospitality; give love; games are more fun when you don’t keep score; sing while you work; never be afraid to laugh until you cry.

Survivors include six children, Darlene Dintaman of Goshen, Maxine (Joe Fretz) Martin of Lakewood, Colo., Marilyn (Jay) Shetler of Phoenix, Ariz., Marjorie (Barry) Weaver of Bloomington, Ill., Ronald (Joy) Martin of Minot, N.D., and Galen (Karyn Angell) Martin of Eugene, Ore.; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; a sister, Wilma Kauffman; three brothers, Floyd, Ellis and Lester Kropf; and a son-in-law, Carl Dintaman.

An online memorial service was held. Her family gathered for her burial at Fairview Cemetery, Surrey, N.D.