Obituary – Martha Ann Dippel Schrenk

Martha Ann Dippel Schrenk, 99, of Richmond passed away September 5, 2024. Martha was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 12, 1924. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob Henry Dippel and Leona Alt Dippel; siblings, Marion Dippel and William Dippel and husband, Alfred J. Schrenk. Martha is survived by her daughters, Gail M. Ellis (Russ) of Tulsa, OK and Cathy L. Ford (David) of Anderson, SC; grandsons, William Curtis Ellis (Erin) of Tulsa, OK and H.A. “Trey” Smith, III of Atlanta, GA; great-grandchildren, Hannah Beesley, Moriah, Levi and Grayson Ellis and niece and nephew Susan Dippel Andrews (Andy) and William “Bill” Dippel Jr. of Cleveland, OH.

Martha was a daughter, sister, niece, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, aunt, mother-in-law, grandmother, grandmother-in-law and great grandmother. She was known to be a lady, neighbor, friend, housewife, volunteer, student, instructor, cook, floral arranger, seamstress, knitter, crafter and hostess. Her energy, talents and zest for life and people was very real and very strong.

Her leadership likely began before she was elected President of Theta Sigma Upsilon at Kent State University, continuing throughout her life with Girl Scout Troop leader, hospital auxillary officer, PTA secretary and most recently President of Richmond Garden Club Council with many other offices in between. As a strong Christian her membership at Trinity United Methodist Church on Forest Avenue in Richmond she served on Altar Guild and as a member of United Methodist Women, now United Women in Faith Circle 3 who honored her with a Special Mission Recognition Pin.

Always an animal lover, especially dogs and cats, she cared for pets Teddy, Jake and Dummy as beloved additional family members.

She climbed mountains in both Maine and New Hampshire, enjoyed lake swimming and boating, water skied, and was an enthusiastic ice skater. She and her husband travelled to Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean enjoying sights and culture across the globe. Having researched their ancestry, they dined with relatives in Germany.

She was a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2011, age of 87.

Life at Westminster Canterbury included knitting for the Salvation Army, arranging floral displays, small crafts projects, writing tickets for the Sara Belle November Theatre and shooting pool on weekends. Jigsaw puzzles, Bingo games, in house movies, zoom with family members and completing the daily Word Jumble with dining room friends filled her later days.

Martha was laid to rest beside her husband in Hollywood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributing in Martha’s honor to the Trinity United Methodist Church Youth Fund, 903 Forest Ave, Henrico, VA 23229 (www.trinityumc.net), Guiding Eyes for the Blind Headquarters and Training Center, 611 Granite Springs Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, Ph: 914-245-4024 (www.guidingeyes.org) or The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741 (www.cancer.org). In Martha’s memory please absolutely hug your pet, stop to smell the flowers or complete a word jumble.