Martha Ruth Kellstrom

Martha Ruth Kellstrom, age 93, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024, in Manhattan, KS. She was born May 8, 1931, in Iola, KS, to Lawrence and Ruth Copening.

She attended Iola High School where she was Valedictorian of her class. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, where she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Kellstrom. Martha and Bill married in 1953 and shared 64 wonderful years together in marriage. Martha and Bill had two boys, John and Jim, whom she loved dearly.

After raising her two boys, she went on to earn her Master’s and Ph.D. in Education from Kansas State University. Following her Ph.D., she taught physical education at KSU and was a favorite among all. She was an incredible educator, winning several awards over the years. She eventually retired as an Emeritus Professor in the College of Education. She was a dedicated member of Kappa Delta sorority, initially joining during her undergraduate years at Kansas State and eventually becoming the Vice President of National Panhellenic. To recognize her commitment to Kappa Delta, the National Panhellenic named an award in her honor: Martha Copening Kellstrom Award for Alumnae Chapter Programming Excellence.

Martha was an incredible musician; she loved playing the piano, her antique pump organ, and entertaining family and friends with music. She enjoyed sharing her love of learning, dance, and General Custer with anyone she could, especially her nieces,

nephews, and grandkids. She loved the outdoors, hosting numerous summers of “Aunt Martha’s Summer Camp,” hiking (even into her 80s!), and camping/traveling with Bill in the Volkswagen camp mobile. She was a lover of all animals, especially her horse Chico and her dog Clifford. She was a voracious reader, reading several books a week.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, Ruth and Lawrence Copening, her brother Ward Copening, and her sister Caroline Ratcliffe.

She is survived by her two boys, John (Beth) of Manhattan, KS, and Jim (Jane) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, as well as her three grandchildren, Olivia, William, and Margaret, and many nieces and nephews. To know Martha was to love her and she will be missed by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled and announced this spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Manhattan Community Memorial Fund, Shepherd's Crossing of Manhattan, and Kansas State University Foundation.