Martha Jane Gorsky

Bloomington - Martha "Marty" Jane Gorsky (nee Hinrichs) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on September 8, 2025. Marty was born in Madison, WI on December 9, 1935, and spent her early years on the family farm. During WWII, Marty's family was requested by her father's employer to move to the San Francisco area to support the war effort. She would often share that her family would host soldiers at their home for meals as they were preparing to ship out for duty in the Pacific. After the war, the family returned to Wisconsin and the farm. When Marty was to start high school, her parents sent her to the high school that was associated with the University of Wisconsin. Upon graduating, Marty attended Carthage College in Carthage, IL, and there met and began dating her future husband Ken when she asked him to a "turnabout dance". They were soon married, and the first years of marriage included several moves to both coasts of the country, Grey Eagle, Minnesota, where the first two of three children, Mary and Steve, were born, a stint back in Wisconsin, and several years in Denver, Colorado where their third child Amy was born. At this time an opportunity to move back to Minnesota presented itself where they rented a townhouse for a year before they moved to their house on Meadow Lake in New Hope, which was their family home for the next 50 years. When the kids had all started school, Marty began attending the University of Minnesota and completed her bachelor's degree in speech pathology. She also learned American Sign Language during this time and worked at Saint Paul Technical College as an interpreter. She then attended Saint Cloud State University where she earned a master's degree in library science. This led to a career in education as a media specialist in the Elk River school district. Beyond work and family Marty's other interests included being an usher at Orchestra Hall and sharing her love of music and reading with her children. She knew the importance of a democratic society and was active in the political process. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, where she enjoyed leading discussions on books that were of interest. Marty and Ken spent much time during their retirement years at the cabin in Cornucopia, WI, and loved having their children, grandchildren, and everyone's family dog visit whenever they could. They also enjoyed experiencing the north woods on excursions with a group that was guided by local naturalists. She is preceded in death by her parents (Marvin & Anna Hinrichs) & 4 siblings (Cynthia, Gary, Lucy, Philip). She is survived by husband, Ken, children Mary Lair (Pat), Steve Gorsky (Leslie Prairie), & Amy Hafeman (Dale); grandchildren Katelin Swanson (Chris), Loreena Hilton (Cody), Henry Gorsky (Kara Jones), & Ellen Prairie (Elizabeth); great-grandchildren Leona & Calvin Swanson, Holly & Jack Hilton. Heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Hayden Grove and Interim Hospice. Service will be held at Washburn-McReavy Bloomington Funeral Chapel (2300 W. Old Shakopee Rd), October 10, at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior. Memorials are preferred to Struthers Parkinson Center and Interim Hospice.

Tributes

Martha Jane Gorsky

December 9, 1935 - September 8, 2025

Tributes

Martha Jane Gorsky

December 9, 1935 - September 8, 2025

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