Wanita Irene (Tracy) Martin

Wanita Martin (Nita), 91, passed away on March 30, with her daughters at her side. She was born in Elgin, Oregon to Harry and Erma (Rollins)Tracy. The family lived and worked on the railroad in Oregon and Washington, living in an outfit car until she was 6. The family then moved to South Prairie, Washington, for a permanent place for Wanita and sister, Maxine. She went hunting and fishing with her dad and helped around the ranch with the animals and gardens. Wanita graduated as Salutatorian of her Buckley High School class of 1949. After graduation, the family moved to Enumclaw where Nita worked for Gene Emery Buick for a few years as receptionist and bookkeeper.

She married Eugene (Gene) Martin in June 1954. They moved to their home in Des Moines, WA, where they lived together for 65 years. After her daughters were born, she worked part time for Lindy Johnson Vehicle Licensing.

Wanita had a variety of hobbies and interests which included gardening, bird watching, sewing, ceramics, and crochet. She was a wonderful cook and baker and took classes in cake decorating, turning out some fabulous creations.  She was an avid league bowler and a member of the Auburn Ladies Golf club. She and Gene enjoyed golfing and camping together, traveling all over the western states and Hawaii. Nita and Gene built a cabin on Anderson Island where the family loved to spend time water skiing, swimming, playing tennis and relaxing.

In later years, Nita and Gene took up oil painting together, creating beautiful pictures. After Gene retired, they spent several winters in Arizona, visiting friends, golfing, and rock hounding. She enjoyed going to their favorite casinos to play slots, also taking trips to Reno with family. She loved to watch golf on TV, and she was a big fan of the Mariners and Seahawks. Her crowning achievement, however, was as a homemaker, raising her children and spending time with her husband and family. Everyone felt her love and caring devotion.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, (2019), her father, mother, and sister Maxine (Tracy) Nelson. She is survived by her daughters Cathy (Bryon) Overton, Christy Swamy (Brandon), grandchildren Wendy Overton, Ben Overton, Sarah (Kris) Jensen, Rachel (Zach) Kirchmeyer, Jesse Swamy, and great grandchild Camden Jensen. She is also survived by her sister, Linda (Jeff) Shold. 

A memorial service and reception will take place April 29, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Weeks Funeral Home in Buckley, WA. Please share a memory on the tribute wall at www.weeks-funeralhomes.com

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