Martin Johnke

Martin Johnke of Martinez, California passed away on February 12, 2020.Martin was born on February 22, 1928 at home with hisgrandmother, Theresa Johnke, as the midwife in Flatwillow,Montana to Otto and Lois Pollock Johnke. As the second of eight children, he was raised on a dry land wheat, cattle and sheep ranch. His first eight years of school were spent in the one room Flatwillow School in Flatwillow, Montana, where only one teacher taught grades 1-8.He graduated from the Winnett High School in 1946 as theValedictorian. While pursuing his BA in Education at theUniversity of Montana in Missoula, he taught a year in a two room schoolhouse in Cat Creek, Montana as the only teacher with 12 to15 students in grades 1 through 8. Both he and his students have fond memories of this 1949-1950 school year. He earned his BA degree in 1951 at the U of M.During the Korean War, he was drafted into the Army. At thetime the Marines were also in need of new "volunteers". So acount off (1...2...1...2... or Army ... Marines... Army ...) occurred.Because Martin was a #2 he was sent to the Marines Corps for 2years. With a BA degree in Mathematics Education, he taught math to the new Marines on Treasure Island in the San Fransisco Bay Area. There he met the love of his life, Frances Hicks Hayman of Maine. They were married in 1953 in San Francisco. Later Martin earned his Masters of Education from the University of Montana at Missoula and started a career in teaching math to Californiahigh school students.One of his proudest accomplishments was being awarded an Academic Year Scholarship by the National Science Foundation in mathematics at Boston College. In 1988, Martin received the Excellence in Education Year award from the MountDiablo School District.Martin and Fran were dedicated members of their church where they held many leadership positions. Martin was a lifelonglearner and loved to read and travel. His hobbies were restoring furniture and renovating old buildings. He is best remembered as a man of service that was always ready to help others such as; his family, students, fellow church members, Boy Scouts, Martinez Historical Society, and elderly neighbors. While returning to his Montana roots, he would help with school reunions.He was predeceased by his wife, Frances who passed in 2018; his brothers, Gene and Steve; and his sister, Paula. He is survived by his four children: Beth, Craig, Mark and Peter; ninegrandchildren; six great grandchildren; and four step -grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Arlene Bond of Billings, Marie Fitzgerald of Bozeman, Bob Johnke of Havre, and Jim Johnke of Winnett. His twenty-six nephews and nieces have fond memories listening to his streams of puns and travel adventures. Uncle Martin always took time to visit with his 50 great and great-great nephews and nieces.Internment for both Martin and Fran will be held on July 11 at1:00 pm at the Flatwillow Cemetery.