Martha Ann Preston LaBarge, age 95, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 in Holland, Michigan. She was born September 3, 1929, to Ella Lindt Preston and Nathan E. Preston of St. Joseph, Michigan. Though Martha was an only child, she had many childhood pets to keep her company, including dogs, cats, rabbits, parakeets and even a horse. She proudly learned to drive a tractor on her father’s hobby pear and peach orchard at age 14.
Martha attended Grinnell College in Iowa and graduated from Michigan State in 1951 with a degree in Home Economics. She was a life-long Spartan fan and loved watching football and basketball games and reading all about the players and their life stories. After graduation Martha was an assistant buyer in the accessory department at Herpolsheimer’s of Grand Rapids, when she met Jack LaBarge, a mirror salesman. They married in 1953 and made their home in Holland, Michigan.
Martha was a stay-at-home mom to their two daughters Kathryn and Mary. She was fond of collecting antiques, especially dolls. She was a member of two doll clubs- one in Holland and one in Grand Rapids. She also enjoyed playing Canasta for many years, Questers Antiques Club, Hope Church Circle Group and DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).
For a short time, Martha and her neighbor, Leslie Lampen, relished selling antiques at their little store in Central Park called Yesterday’s Treasures. Later Martha had a booth in Tulip City Antique Mall and then at Saugatuck Antique Pavilion where she enjoyed selling and collecting antiques with her daughter, Mary. She loved garage sales- both attending them and having her own every year with her neighbors.
Martha and her husband Jack travelled extensively throughout the U.S., all of Europe, Russia, China, Indonesia, Mexico, South America and Australia. They appreciated meeting new people and learning about their cultures.
Martha was a fabulous grandmother. She cherished baking cookies but also teaching Jennifer, Jonathon and Julia how to fish on Lake Macatawa. She was a great fan at many soccer and football games over the years. She loved watching her great grandchildren (all 12!) enjoy boating and the family fishing tournament every Fourth of July.
In her later years, Martha also enjoyed playing cards and Rummikub with her neighbors Leslie and Judy and her friends at Royal Park Place in Zeeland.
Martha was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Jack (John) LaBarge in 2013. She is survived by her daughters Kathryn Drummond and son-in-law Daniel Drummond, and daughter Mary LaBarge. She is also survived by grandchildren: Jennifer Drummond and husband Jay Hokanson and seven great grandchildren of Park City, Utah; Jonathon and Robyn Drummond and three great grandchildren of Chesterton, Indiana; and Julia and Nick Jones and two great grandchildren of Byron Center, Michigan.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Church, 77 West 11th Street, Holland Michigan with Reverend Gordon Wiersema officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 5 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd Street, Holland, Michigan. Burial will be in Graafschaap Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the Drs., nurses and staff at Zeeland Hospital, Holland Hospital, Freedom Inn and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Martha for the last few months.
Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Humane Society, Hospice of Holland, or to Hope Church.
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