Loretta Ann Martin

Loretta “Ann” Burlage Martin, a faithful wife, loving mother and devoted teacher passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Ann Burlage was born on March 11, 1948, in Moberly, Missouri, to loving parents, George and Agnes Burlage. Ann was united in marriage to Donald Martin on April 30, 1976, after a short 6-week courtship.

Ann was a devoted wife for almost 49 years. During those years, Ann helped Donald on their mini farm and in the store for 23 years until they sold it. They both had a strong faith in God and honored each other's commitment to their religions. Ann was a lifetime member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Moberly, Missouri.

Ann was unable to have her own child but was blessed by God with Kathy, whom she raised from the age of six. Most people didn’t know that they were not biological mother and daughter. Ann was always proud to be Kathy’s mother and felt lucky to have a kind and loving daughter in her life.

Ann knew she wanted to be a teacher from a very early age. Sister Hermina from Immaculate Conception School asked her to help a couple of students in first grade. While helping them, she realized how rewarding it was to give someone knowledge and decided she was going to become a teacher and went on to be the product of 10 years of parochial schooling. Ann graduated from 10th grade at St Pius X and went on to attend the lower division of MACC, graduating from High School in 1966. She then worked at Woodland Hospital in the Insurance department filing patients’ insurance. She worked until she had money to attend the upper division (college) at MACC. She graduated from MACC in 1970. From there she transferred to Truman State and received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1972. She signed a teaching contract with the Westran R-1 School District to teach 2nd grade. She gave 40+ years of her life to the students of Westran R-1 School District. For those 40 years, she taught 2nd, 4th, 5th grade, along with 4th+5th Science and Math, and High School EOC Algebra/ISS. She also taught evening classes and summer school at MACC for a few years. Even after retiring in 2012, she continued to sub in Middle School and High School until her health caused her to completely retire. Ann loved teaching and would lay awake at night trying to figure out how to teach a particular student so they would understand and learn. This began with repetition, so homework was assigned every night, and she expected it to be done the next day. In 1980, she received a Master’s in Education at Truman State.

Ann retired in 2012 and two years later started to experience major health issues which prevented her from being the wife she wanted to be but that did not keep her from enjoying her family and friends.

Ann is preceded in death by George Burlage (father), Agnes Burlage (mother) and Raymond Burlage (brother).

Ann leaves behind her loving husband, Donald Martin; daughter, Kathy Brown; three grandchildren, Whitley Brown, Zachary Brown and Dustin Brown; one great granddaughter, Gracelynn; sister, Jane (Delbert) Creed; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St Pius X Catholic Church in Moberly, MO. Her final resting place will be at Saint Mary’s Cemetery.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.