Martha Ann Steinkellner

Martha was born to Franz and Martha Stadlbauer on March 7, 1933, in Langenwang, Austria. She passed away in her home on January 26, 2026, in Colville, WA. 

Martha epitomized kindness and a strong work ethic. Known by so many for her great care and service she provided while working at Arby’s and Zip’s, as well as Montgomery Wards. Martha was the “go-to” person for her customers and her employers. 

She was always positive – perhaps the most positive person you would ever encounter. 

When she worked, she worked hard. Customers adored her. And, Martha adored them as well. They were her family.

Martha had grown up during WWII. Her father had been captured by the Germans and was forced to work for 2 years on the railroad systems for them. Martha’s mother and the children walked many miles to relocate to another country where they would be safe and have food and shelter. They managed to escape with the help of a French soldier.

Martha knew what it was like to have so little materially and yet have so much with the love of her parents and siblings. She adopted the attitude of “Do what you have to do.” She made a point of finding joy in all she did.

While out with some of her girlfriends after the War, she met her beloved Leo. Their romance blossomed. Leo wished to move to Canada and went ahead by ship to find employment and get things prepared for her. Martha refused to travel by boat and so waited 3 years to join him until he had saved enough money to pay for her to fly.

Shortly after arriving in Canada, the two were married and began a lovely life of adventure and travel. The couple would live in Canada for a number of years and then move to the United States, landing in Southern California. Leo would be diagnosed with cancer. They purchased a travel trailer and spent the next 5 years traveling throughout the United States.

It was on one of those trips that they ventured to the northwest and discovered Colville, Washington. They knew they had found a place to put down roots. Martha and Leo would settle here for the next 8 years and would become a part of the community.

Leo passed away in 2004. Martha, not being one to sit still, kept working and bringing joy to her customers. She would retire in 2020. Martha’s presence was missed terribly by all of her customers.

Throughout the years, Martha’s family in Austria maintained close connections with her. They would pool their money together and buy her plane tickets to come home almost every year.

Her siblings, nieces, and nephews spoiled her beyond belief. Having Martha home with them was such a treat!

Martha is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Leo. She is survived by a sister and numerous nieces and nephews in Austria, and her Colville Family, a village of love and support.

Per her request, no services are planned. Martha will join her beloved husband, Leo, in a private ceremony at a later date. Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with her care. Please visit the online memorial website and sign her guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.