Martha Marie Rothgangel Blom

Martha was born in Belleville, Illinois to Bessie E. and Edwin L. Rothgangel on February 2, 1925. She is preceded in death by her only sister Mary Wagner (Virgil).

She is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Gustav Peter Blom, and their three daughters, Karen (Thomas) Spoto of Orchard Lake, MI, Julie Blom of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Kristin (Dudley) of Glen Ellyn, IL. She is preceded in death by her only son, Gustav Peter Blom.

Martha had four grandchildren: Drew Malone (Margaret), Michael Malone, Celia Meyer (Ronald), and John McKenna, Thomas Spoto’s two sons, Anthony (Stacy) and Thomas, as well as six great- grandchildren.

Martha attended the University of Illinois where she met Peter, who was serving in the Navy. They married on May 8, 1948. Martha was very active in her local community. She completed training at Oakland University’s Continuum Center which prepared her to be a co-founder of the Women’s Survival Center in Pontiac, an organization which provided support services to victims of domestic abuse. Martha was also very active with the Oakland County Democratic Party and served in many capacities on the board. She ran for State Senate in 1986. In addition to politics, Martha had many other passions in her life which included classical music, opera, sports (baseball was her favorite), bird watching, needlepointing and dogs.

Martha was always passionate about social justice and peace. As a young mother, she had a poster which said “War is not healthy for children and other living things.” About eight years ago she started making peace bracelets. If anyone noticed and admired them, she would gift it to them. Together Martha and Peter made thousands of peace bracelets, “spreading peace one bracelet at a time” throughout the world.

A service will be held in January, 2022 at Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Martha’s name can be made to the Michigan Opera Theater or the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.