A Tribute to my Mother-in-law
Sunday, May 12, 2002 was a very special day. It was the day when we all honor our mothers. My own mother had been dead for almost 23 years. She was a very special lady, and my memories are rich about her. However, I want to pay homage to my mother-in-law. Martha Auker is still living at the age of 92. She is a remarkable lady, and is now living in an assisted living facility at Brethren Village in Neffsville, Lancaster County, PA.
We were so pleased to learn last week that she was chosen as volunteer of the month of May, 2002 at Brethren Village. Her picture and story were printed in the Village Newsletter, "News and Views." Her picture was also featured on the Brethren Village cable network throughout the month of May. She richly deserved this honor. I have included the account that was in the newsletter.
Volunteer of the Month - Martha Auker
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We're proud of you,
Mother.
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Martha Auker was born in Uniontown, Pa, and then moved to Mechanic Grove, PA. When she was 14 years old, she moved to Elizabethtown, PA. Martha married Christian Musser when she was 21. She and her husband bought an eight-acre farm in Spooky Nook and lived there until 1954. They had 2 daughters, Mary and Millie, and 13 foster children while living on the farm. (Four of her foster children still stay in touch with her.) Martha has some interesting stories to tell while caring for the foster children. One set of twins just could not behave themselves. They even locked a janitor in a closet at school. They stayed in her home only a short time.
Her husband was a self-employed electrician, besides raising tobacco on their farm. Martha worked in the fields until she decided to go to work at Hamilton Watch Co. in East Petersburg. She worked there for 20 years where she inspected watches. She loved her job until World War II, when the factory was converted to making fuses for explosives.
In 1954 her husband sold the farm and bought a gas station in Landisville that he tore down and built a new home on the site. She and her husband went to Florida from October until April for 10 winters. In 1986 her husband passed away and Martha remarried. She and her second husband moved to Brethren Village in 1989. Two of Martha's sisters also live the Village.
Martha has been a volunteer since she moved there and sells stamps at the Village Center. One of her first volunteer jobs was clerking in the Village Store. Martha also crochets, making potholders, hankies and lap robes for the Village Gift Shop. She means so much to all of the staff and residents at Brethren Village.
Copyright © Jay D Weaver - May 15, 2002
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