Martha A. Sosalla (Nee Walek), a long-time resident of St. Francis, passed away peacefully on April 24th, 2016. She was 97. Born to the late John F. and Mary (Reck) Walek on November 25th, 1918, in the town of Burnside in Trempealeau County. Wife and polka dancing partner of 52 years to the late Alphonse (Allie) Sosalla. They were married on September 4th, 1940, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Independence, WI.

Martha will be deeply missed by her sister, Delores Jonietz of Muskego; children, Kenneth Sosalla of Waukesha, Janice (Bob) Hoffman of Grafton, and Michael (Terri) Sosalla of South Milwaukee; and grandchildren, Mark (Daniella Rosenthal) Hoffman, Julie (Todd) Elliott, Paula (Dean Mantel) Race-Mantel, Steve (Deena) Sosalla, and Daniel Sosalla. Further survived by 12 great-grandchildren, other relatives, and dear friends, especially June and Dorothy Fischer and family.

Preceded in death by her parents and husband; siblings Valeria Smick, Helen Roskos/Sosalla, Marion Roskos, Euphrosine Sosalla, and John Walek; and great-grandson Karsten Elliott.

Martha first moved to Milwaukee at the age of 18 to pursue employment and get a feel of the “big city”. In 1940, with motivation and hard work, she started her own independent and successful Avon business. For sixty years, she provided personal beauty products to the women of her hometown and Milwaukee. She received many professional awards and recognitions, the most prestigious being a member of “The President’s Club”. Martha and Allie were active members of the Wisconsin Polka Boosters and attended many events including a dancing tour through Europe with Marv Herzog’s Bavarian Polka Band.

Martha’s generosity and hospitality for her family and friends knew no bounds. She provided meals to family, friends, and neighbors during life’s celebrations and mournings. She often opened her home to distant relatives for extended stays and once traveled to Talkeetna, Alaska, by bush plane, to care for a family member. She was never far from her morning paper, her radio playing the Polka favorites, or her portable keyboard organ.

All services will be held on Tuesday, May 3rd, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church located at 3635 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in St. Francis, WI. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., followed by an eulogy at 10:45 a.m., and then a mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Lunch to follow.

Donations in Martha’s name to the local food pantry can be made payable to Sacred Heart of Jesus, 3635 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., St. Francis, WI 53235. Please reference “Help the Needy” on your donation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha A Sosalla (Walek), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.