Martha Valerie Wise Jansen

Compassionate. Empathetic. Outgoing. Amazing. Courageous. These are words that Martha Valerie Wise Jansen’s children used to describe their mom, a remarkable woman who died peacefully at home on October 17, 2023, surrounded by her children and loved ones.

Martha was born in Springfield, Ohio, the youngest of five children. She attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. While at Michigan, Martha competed in the 200 IM, 200 free and 100 backstroke events on the Big Ten Championship Women’s Swim Team for the years of 1993, 1994 and 1995. In 2021, she received her teaching degree from Saginaw Valley State University.

After college and some time in Virginia, Martha decided to make a life in Petoskey, Michigan. It was here that she and her four children enjoyed many adventures such as boating on Crooked Lake, swimming in the Black Hole, playing “Chopped” in the kitchen or enjoying time with good friends. Martha was a strong believer in life-long fitness and motivated her Physical Education students at Lincoln and Ottawa Elementary to always keep moving by making exercise fun.

Martha’s children were the most important part of her life, and her happiest moments were those spent with them. Martha was baptized as a child and in the summer of 2022, she re-dedicated her life to Christ. Martha’s faith was something that was central to her life and something that she modeled to those around her through her selfless service to others.

Martha is survived by her children: Lucy, Ruby, Ellie and Jack; her parents, Eric and Judith (Null) Wise; brother Eric and wife Kim (Haluscsak) Wise; sisters Sarah and Rebecca Wise; multiple aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews; a large contingency of devoted friends; her dog Gunner; and 74 kettle bells, 6 resistance bands, 4 wetsuits and 1 triathlon bike that have taken a good kickin’ or two from her.

Visitation will be at 2:00 pm at Genesis Church in Petoskey this Friday, October 20th, 2023. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 3:00 pm at Genesis. Martha’s children ask that everyone dress in bright colors, as Martha loved wearing vibrant colors. Martha’s children ask that in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation to either Lincoln Elementary PTO (mail to: 616 Connable Ave., Petoskey, MI 49770) or Ottawa Elementary PTO (mail to: 871 Kalamazoo Ave., Petoskey, MI 49770).

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc.

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