MADISON - Helen Mary (Hendricks) Martin, age 95, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, at Lake House Assisted Living in Lake Mills, WI.

Because Mom hadn’t been able to cook for a while, we’re sure she fired up the heavenly ovens as soon as she arrived. So if, out of the blue, you smell freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies, that would be her.

Helen was born on January 13, 1931, in Cuba City, WI, to Edward and Mary (Runde) Hendricks. She graduated from Cuba City High School in 1948 and married John C. (Jack) Martin on June 30, 1951. Together they raised seven children but, as we like to say, five good ones. (Hint: The five good ones have XY chromosomes.) In addition to creating a warm, loving household for her children and their friends, Helen volunteered for many years as a bookkeeper for Saint Patrick Church in Madison, later working full time as a bookkeeper for a small business, and then had a very enjoyable 25+ year career at The Swiss Colony in Madison.

Helen was renowned in her adult life for her ability to stretch 10 pounds of hamburger into a month’s worth of meals for a family of nine, an uncanny ability with math and bookkeeping, crushing card play at the Euchre table, as well as her chocolate chip cookies. A devout Catholic, Helen was involved in activities both at St. Patrick church and grade school in Madison for decades, and attended Mass almost daily when she could easily drive to church. It was not unusual in the ‘60s for a ‘traveler’ to wander from the railroad tracks to the front door of our house where he’d always leave with something to eat. She would loudly cheer for the Packers and you would have thought Brett Favre was a personal friend. The harshest words she ever uttered were “oh, you dumb sap,” usually directed at someone who intercepted a pass from her favorite QB. Quick-witted to the end, she shared her wonderful sense of humor with everyone. And we blame Mom for our absolute inability to cook for anything less than a small crowd.

A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Jack; son, James Martin; great-granddaughter, Georgia Pearl Flandreau; parents Edward and Mary; and her siblings and fellow card players at every family gathering, Merlin (Margie) Hendricks, Donald (Dorothy) Hendricks, Orrin Hendricks, Myrtle (Donald) Wright, Lucille (Warner) Calvert, Rose (Delbert) Guler, and in infancy, Mary Jane Hendricks and Harold Hendricks.

Helen is survived by her children, Deborah (Bobby) Lightfoot, Michael (Barbara) Martin, Stephen (Peggy) Martin, Patrick (Marla) Martin, William (Susan) Martin and Kathleen (Steve) Keleher; 15 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St. Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, with Father Mark Foley presiding. A luncheon will follow at church. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, and at church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday.

The family thanks Graceful Guidance caregivers for helping support Helen for five years, and appreciate everyone at LakeHouse for the kind, attentive care they gave Helen these past few months. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local food pantry or any of the charities that help ensure no one goes hungry.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Helen M. Martin

January 13, 1931 - June 01, 2026

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