Martha Ascuena

Martha (Frost) Chipman Ascuena was born Aug. 12, 1921, in Fairbury, Neb., to Otis Frost and Grace Pletcher Frost. The family moved to Nampa, Idaho, in September 1926. Martha attended various schools in the Valley, graduating from Nampa High School in 1939.

Martha married Jack Chipman in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Sept. 22, 1940. They farmed in the Meridian area and later ranched north of Mountain Home, Idaho, at Canyon Creek -- the site of one of the last remaining stage stops on the Oregon Trail. Many of Martha's most fond memories were times spent at the Canyon Creek ranch. She referred to those days as "Heaven on Earth."

In January 1966, they retired to Mountain Home where Martha worked at the hospital as a medical records technician. Jack died in April 1969.

Martha married George Ascuena on July 27, 1974. They farmed south of Mountain Home for 23 years. George died in May 1997.

Martha was active in square dancing at one time. She was also a member of the local Grange, the First Christian Church, the Accredited Records Technicians, the Mountain Home chapter of Business and Professional Women and the Shamrock Club of Weiser, Idaho, where she enjoyed helping raise funds for the historic Jeffrey's Schoolhouse.

Martha had two sons with Jack, Gary (Margie) Chipman of Weiser, Idaho, and Bill (Carol) Chipman of Pullman, Wash. Bill died in January 1996 and Gary died in January 2013. She had two step-children, Cristina (John) Serpa of Pocatello, Idaho, and David (Ruth) Ascuena of Mountain Home, Idaho.

Her nine grandchildren include Bryan (Lisa) Serpa, Cindy (Chud) Wendle, Rob (Kim) Chipman, Rick (Lisa) Chipman, Mendizje Serpa, Andrea Ascuena, Marcela Ascuena, Sr. Michaela Serpa, FSE and Anthony Serpa. She had 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. Martha is preceded in death by her three brothers and two sisters.

Martha was 95 when she passed away Nov. 3, 2016 in Weiser, Idaho.

Her love of faith, family and friends was matched by no other. She was a true gift to all who knew her.

A burial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at the Cloverdale Cemetery at 2 p.m. A memorial reception will be held immediately follow the burial at the Cloverdale Reception Center, 1200 North Cloverdale Road, Boise, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Martha's passion for history, the family requests donations be made to support the restoration of the Canyon Creek Stage Station in Mountain Home. Donations can be made online at www.idahoheritage.org/donations.html or mailed to Idaho Heritage Trust, P.O. Box 140617, Boise, ID 83714. Please designate the Canyon Creek Stage Station.

In honor of Martha's unconditional love of children, donations may also be made to the Idaho Youth Ranch online at www.youthranch.org or mailed to Idaho Youth Ranch, 5465 West Irving St., Boise, ID 83706.