Martha Jean Ravenscroft was born on November 3, 1923 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, the fourth child and second daughter of Joseph and Pauline Everett Spurgeon. Her childhood memories included learning to tend chickens, milk cows, herd sheep, plant a garden and hoe sugar beets. She especially enjoyed herding sheep on her black pony “Belle” and going to the movies with her dad-tickets were ten cents. She graduated from high school in Scottsbluff in 1942 and from nurses’ training in 1945 at West Hospital School of Nursing in Scottsbluff.
Martha met her future husband, Francis Ravenscroft, at a country dance in Kennedy, Nebraska. They were married on June 6, 1946, in Aunt Mae Everett’s house. They started married life living with Mother Ravenscroft and 2 other newlywed Ravenscroft brothers, all under the same roof, until their house was ready to move into-six months later. They lived on the Ravenscroft Cross O for seven years and then moved to Saratoga, Wyoming. They lived in Saratoga for twenty years. They then moved to the SH ranch south of Miles City on the Tongue River. In 1983 they started over and moved back to the sandhills of Mullen, Nebraska until Francis death from cancer in 1996. After Francis’ death, Martha lived in Mullen for a year and then moved to Miles City to be close to daughter Alice and family.
Survivors include her sons; Ray Francis (Laura) of Sutherland, Nebraska, Edward Olin (Cheryl) of Rexburg, Idaho, and daughter Alice Jean (Greg) Kmetz of Miles City; eleven grandchildren; Olin Ravenscroft of Stevensville, Montana, Keara (Dave) Brunner of Scottsbluff, Lex (Patrice) Ravenscroft of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ian Ravenscroft of San Diego, California and Reid Ravenscroft of Washington State, Andrea and Trevor Kmetz of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Brooks (Brooke) Kmetz of Miles City and Acacia, and Taylor Ravenscroft of Grand Island, Nebraska and Kortnie Ravenscroft, of Lincoln, Nebraska; 6 ½ great grandchildren: Bayleigh, Jessie and Brendan Ravenscroft, Dane Phillip Kmetz, Ezra Brunner, and another Brunner due the 24th of December of Olivia Ravenscroft; 2 sisters, Wilma Gibson and Phyllis (Dean) Drawbaugh of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Also, sister-in-laws: Jean McGaughey and Ruth Holm, and brother-in-law, Donald Ravenscroft. We can’t forget her little Jack Russell Terrier, “Rusty”.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Francis; brothers, Bob, John, and Ed Spurgeon, and older sister Ruth McKinley and her husband Homer McKinley.
Martha’s favorite Bible verse that she repeated often is Philippians 4:6-7, “In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. Vs 7- And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A prayer service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Interment will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine, Nebraska.
Memorials can be sent to the Miles City Gideons, P.O. Box 362, Miles City, MT. 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday December 10, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Prayer Service
6:00 p.m.
Thursday December 10, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday December 10, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Prayer Service
6:00 p.m.
Thursday December 10, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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PAT HERZOG says
Alice so sorry to hear about the loss of ur mom..she was a wonderful lady..so sweet..Will be praying for all of you…my deepest sympathy..Pat Herzog
Brooks Kmetz says
My grandma was an amazing women. Even in her last years when she couldn’t hardly remember my name she always remembered The Lord. She could always recite her favorite bible verse (Philippians 4:6-7). With her dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cancer she remembered what was most important.
Shirley Rolf says
Alice and family, sorry for the loss of your mom, a very nice lady. We are thinking of you at your time of need.
Keith and Barb Phalen Hoover says
Alice and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Hugs
Barb & Keith
Aaron Mollie Robert and Michael Phipps says
Martha was such a neat lady, I remember going to bible study with her. She was so proud of her family, and I hope you all knew how much she loved you! May she rest in peace in a place where her mind is whole, until you meet her again! Hugs to all of you Alice, Greg, Brooks, Trevor, and Andrea.
Damaris Davidson says
Alice. Greg and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Aunt Martha’s passing. She was a dear sweet lady and I know you will miss her a great deal. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you and comfort you.
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Alice, Greg and Family,
So sorry to hear about your mom and grandma. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Garryn Tvedt says
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jim and Marilyn May says
What a dear lady. I have such fond memories of Homemakers Club meetingsin her home. May God be with you in your sadness, Alice and Family
Steven and Cindy Thorne says
I am so sorry to here about your mother. She was one of a kind for sure. May God be with you all at this time of need and sadness.
Jeanne Green says
It was hard to watch her go downhill, but a blessing that she is in the place she wants to be now. My thought and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Shannon Holmen says
Alice, So sorry about your sweet mom. She was lucky to have you taking such good and loving care of her. Bless you.
Mark and Cindy Danielson says
Ray and Laura and family,
May God give you comfort in knowing that Laura has been granted an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:11). She was such a sweet lady and we were so grateful to know her.
Phil and Pam Newby says
Alice, Greg, & Family,
May Jesus wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you at this time.
Martha was a beautiful, sweet lady and every time we saw her at Grace she had a smile on her face. We were blessed to have known her!
Phil & Pam Newby
Ron and Connie Watts says
Alice and Family,
I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Martha. What a wonderful, kind person! She was always such a blessing to us at Bible study. May God bless your entire family and cover you with his peace and comfort.
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
Alice and family, We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We are praying for the Lord’s peace and comfort for all of you.
Deb ( Moths) Schmeling says
I was sorry to hear that your precious Mother passed away. We all know that she has been reunited with other loved ones. May God wrap his loving arms around each one of you with His love and mercy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.