Carolyn “Karen” Martin-Isham was born August 21, 1944, and walked on September 22, 2023, after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. She fought hard with her daughters, Myra and Melaine, her sister Rose and niece Suzanne along with Mayo Clinic Hospice caring for her. She was surrounded by family as she walked on peacefully with lots of love.

She was the daughter of James and Suzi (Coon) Martin of the Whitefish Community on the LCO Reservation. Traveling the world, she later found love and married Dewey Isham, together blending a family with ten children. She loved camping, cookouts, birthdays, holidays, sewing and powwows with her family, which were always chaotic but fun. Karen loved the Packers, Brewers and watching her great grandson’s play baseball. She was most known for being our fire keeper, friend, sense of humor and her beautiful smile. Karen also loved her GLNAEA trips with her sister Rose and LCO friends, dancing at powwows with her brothers Vern and George, visiting her post office friends and Elvis Presley who “watched over her”.

Karen is survived by her daughters Myra (Dennis) Smith, Melaine Whitrock; grandsons David (Heather) Isham, Jon (Tricia) Isham; sister Rose (Marv) Andersen; brothers George (Syd) Martin, Vernon (Ellen) Martin; stepchildren Stacy, Gail & Carl Isham; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by husband Dewey; children twins Michael & Michelle; stepdaughter Leslie; granddaughters Jessica Suzi Sharlow and Isabelle Christine Isham; her parents; brothers James “Buckshot”, Robert “Uncle Bob” and Chuck Martin; sister Ruth “Sister” (Martin) Mills; and also her beloved dogs “Rez” & “Poochie”.

A Celebration of Karen’s Life will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, October 2, 2023, at Pineview Funeral Service in Hayward. Gary Quaderer Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Whitefish Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, Monday, October 2nd at the funeral home.

Karen’s family would like to thank her nurse, Francis and the rest of the Mayo Clinic Hospice of Eau Claire.

“Rest Easy mom you’re pain free.”

Last Update: Sep 28, 2023 12:24 pm CDT