Ruth Elaine Martini (Krueger)

Ruth Elaine Martini (Krueger) was born Aug. 1, 1926, in Keokuk, Iowa, across the Mississippi from her hometown of Nauvoo, Illinois. She was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, by her parents Waldomar Krueger, DDS and Ruth Dunphy Krueger.

She was educated at Little Flower Grammar School, and earned scholarships to Ursuline Academy and Webster College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics.

While Elaine was in college, her brother, Richard, met a young medical student in Los Angeles and invited him for a home-cooked meal upon his return to St. Louis University. Richard failed to mention that he had a lovely young sister, who happened to be headed on a date when Mike Martini visited. Elaine must have noticed him because shortly thereafter, she invited Mike to a beach party with her college friends. An enduring romance ensued.

After graduation, she worked as a statistician for a year before marrying Dr. Michael Martini on June 11, 1949. The young couple moved to Los Angeles and had two daughters, Kathleen and Barbara. When Mike was called to active duty during the Korean War, Elaine lived with her parents in St. Louis.

After he returned, a third daughter, Eileen was born, and the family moved in 1954 to Pacific Palisades where Mike began his pediatric practice. Thereafter, the family grew to include three sons, Richard, James and Joseph.

Elaine was an active member of Corpus Christi parish. She helped establish the school library and volunteered in various capacities. She was a supportive and loving mother, managing the household and raising six children. She threw creative birthday parties, prepared innumerable school lunches, attended recitals, and spent hours at ball fields and scout meetings.

She made lifelong friends through her love of bowling, tennis and bridge, and was active in the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club. She enjoyed playing board games with her family and was incredibly skilled and lucky at Yahtzee. She participated in a weekly writers group, crafting an insightful and humorous memoir for her family to enjoy.

When her children were old enough to accommodate the change, she worked for the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Later, she enjoyed volunteering at the J. Paul Getty Villa.

As her children started families of their own, Elaine came to realize the joys of being a grandmother and eventually a great-grandmother. After her husband retired from his pediatric practice in 1996, she enjoyed a more relaxing pace to life. She and Mike enjoyed playing tennis and bridge, visiting with friends and family, and traveling. Two special memories for her were a pilgrimage to Rome, Egypt and Israel led by her son, Msgr. Richard Martini, and a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone, which took her breath away.

Elaine endured the last 18 years in need of oxygen for pulmonary hypertension; nevertheless, she enjoyed family holiday get-togethers, gatherings at church, and at Mike’s Optimist Club and American Legion Post. She died Jan. 5 at the age of 91.

Elaine is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Michael Martini, five of her six children, 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren (with more on the way), and her brother, Richard Krueger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Martini Family and Friends Fund at St. John’s Seminary, 5012 Seminary Road, Camarillo, CA 93012.