Martha was born May 13, 1956, in Winters, as the second daughter of Kenneth and Freda Kruse. She was raised in Big Lake and graduated from Reagan County High School in 1974, then attended Texas Tech University for two years.
In 1983, Martha joined in marriage with Mike Bridges, who preceded her in death in 2020.
Martha had a 35-plus-year career working and living in Elgin with Capital Farm Credit and Lone Star Ag Credit, primarily as a closing agent. She took enormous pride in her work and her company and always claimed that she was the luckiest person ever to have that career and to work with so many great people over the years.
Martha had numerous interests including watching old movies, shopping for antiques, Texas History, the occasional slot machine and tarot card reading. She was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elgin, and loved talking to people about her faith and her Lutheran heritage.
Preceding Martha in death are her parents, Kenneth and Freda Kruse of Big Lake; and older sister, Hilda Dupree of San Angelo. She was also very close to her large family of grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.
Martha is survived by her beloved son, John Bridges and his wife Miranda, who reside in Hutto. Their first child, Peyton Jean Bridges, was recently born and was the pride of Martha’s world over the last few weeks. The anticipation of her birth kept Martha fighting through health issues, fiercely determined to hold that little girl in her arms.
She is further survived by her brother, Dennis Kruse (Vickie) of Lubbock; sister, Brenda Iskra of Midland; nieces, Reagan Kruse and Brynn Kruse of Lubbock; nephew, Zac Iskra (Kayla) of Midland and their children Kynzlee and Trystan Iskra.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 15, at Providence Jones Funeral home in Elgin. A funeral service will be held Monday, Oct. 16, at noon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elgin, officiated by her good buddy Pastor Sam Brannon.
A graveside service and burial will be held Tuesday, Oct. 17, at noon at Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake.
Pallbearers will be Zac Iskra, Brad Kruse, Terry Kruse, Chad Green, Jerry Roberts, Jacob Mortan and Michael Velasquez. Honorary pallbearers are Dee Kruse, Cathy Rollins and Vickie Cheyne. It is Martha’s wish that donations be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elgin or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home, 604 Hwy 95 N, Elgin Texas 78621, 512-2812340
