Eileen Mae Kutcher Martin

Gresham resident Eileen Mae Kutcher Martin passed away on January 2, 2011. She was 88. A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 8 at 1 pm at First Baptist Church in Gresham. Private burial was at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham.

Eileen was born December 5, 1922 in Gresham to Ezra and Alice (Wood) Wall. She married Marion Kutcher on April 9, 1939. They had three children. Marion passed away on May 8, 1986. Eileen married Merle Martin on August 13, 1995.

Eileen lived in Gresham her entire life. She attended Sunday School at First Baptist Church when she was a little girl and was a lifelong member. Eileen was very active at First Baptist. She was a Sunday School teacher and a member of Dorcas Circle women’s ministry. She volunteered at the thrift store the church used to have as well as in the church kitchen which served a meal once a week. In her later years, she was a board member of the Prime Timers senior group. As one of the church Greeters, Eileen became Grandma to many and dubbed the “Church Hugger”. Family was incredibly important to Eileen. She was very family oriented and had family gatherings on a regular basis. The family enjoyed playing card games, especially Pinochle and Canasta and going on camping trips. Eileen liked gardening and for many years canned produce that she grew. She was a talented seamstress and excelled at quilting, sewing clothes, crocheting and cross-stitching. Eileen loved dancing. She and Marion met at a dance and continued to go dancing every Saturday night for many years. Eileen loved travelling. She went on trips to Israel, Australia, Europe and Mexico and Hawaii. After the death of her first husband, Eileen went on several bus tours throughout the United States and Quebec with the Philadelphians tour company.

Eileen was preceded in death by her first husband, Marion Kutcher; second husband, Merle Martin; and brothers, Art Wall; Bill Wall; and Bob Wall. Survivors include her son, Don Kutcher and his wife, Carla of Fairview; daughter, Marilyn Gifford and her husband, Bill of Gresham; daughter, Sally Phelan and her husband, Joe of Gresham; step son, Jim Martin and his wife, Kathy of Terrebonne; step son Jack Martin and his wife, Gail of Portland; sisters, Louise Dix of Boring; and Bonnie Viviano of Portland; 7 grandchildren: Jennifer Ingram and her husband, David; Wendy Nelson and her husband, Kyle; Laura Peak; James Gifford; Chris Phelan and his wife, Val; Elyse Murphy and her husband, Ryan; and Tauna Phelan; and 9 great-grandchildren: Alexander and Emma Ingram; Andy Nelson; Jacob and Madison Peak; Ava and Kaydence Phelan; and Samuel Murphy.

Memorial contributions may be sent to First Baptist Church (224 W Powell Blvd. Gresham Oregon 97030).

Arrangements under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, OR.