Martina Burkhard OBITUARY
Martina Burkhard, 93, (Collegeville, formerly of Ambler) passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Martina was born June 13, 1931, in Leipzig, Germany. She was the daughter of the late Henry and Hildegard Kirsten and will be remembered as a hard-working and devoted wife, mother and employee, with a very warm and generous spirit. Martina was raised in Germany through the post- World War II years. In January 1944, her family fled to Eichstätt, Bavaria, a long and dangerous journey because of the war. After the war, Martina and her identical twin sister worked to help support the family. Martina was employed as a secretary for Audi in Ingolstadt, Germany. In June 1957, Martina married Erich Burkhard and moved to the US to be his wife and a mother to his four children. Martina was quickly introduced to American life, learning to drive with four children in the car, and improving her English by watching American television. In the coming years, she and Erich would expand their family with two more daughters. After raising their family, Martina began working as a bookkeeper. Her career spanned 45 years, working for Thomas J. Balshi, DDS, Pi Dental Center, and also John P. Grigger, DDS, all in Fort Washington, PA. In her free time, Martina enjoyed her family and friends, traveling, and maintaining her immaculate lawn. Martina is survived by six children: Margaret Oliver, Alice Kraus (Tom), Erich Burkhard (Maria), Helaine Truthstone, Yvonne Rosenbaum (Chris), and Barbara Ann Sharon (Steve), numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her brothers Wolfgang Kirsten and Dietmar Kristensen, and her sister Baerbel Maletzke. Martina is preceded in death by her husband (Erich), her twin sister Susi Loerch, and her brother Peter Kirsten. In keeping with Martina's wishes, no formal services will be held. To honor her memory, contributions can be made to Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care (crossroadshospice.com).
