Oleta Mae (Wille) Martin, age 84, of Laramie, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 1, 2025, following a short illness. She was born August 5, 1940, in Laramie to Oliver and Bernice (Barber) Wille. She graduated from Laramie High School in 1958 and attended the University of Wyoming for two years. Oleta was proud to be a Laramie native.
Oleta worked at the University of Wyoming as a keypunch operator, where she was introduced to her future husband, Howard Ray Martin. They were married August 22, 1965, in Laramie, where they also raised their three children: LeRoy, Lynette, and LeAnn. She was an entrepreneur in her own right when she was a “stay at home, work at home” mom in the 70s and early 80s as the owner of her business, Oleta’s Keypunch Services, and later worked on campus in the payroll office in Old Main.
She was so proud of her family and enjoyed spending time and taking care of them. She also enjoyed activities with many life-long friends. In her spare time, she also enjoyed baking, knitting, crocheting, card playing, cheering on the Wyoming Cowboys, coin collecting, word search and jigsaw puzzles.
Oleta is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister, Elva Loi (Wille) Gibbs, and her brother, Oliver Rendall “Bud” Wille Jr. She is survived by her children, LeRoy & Lisa Martin of Laramie, Lynette & Tim Avery of Sugar Land, Texas, and LeAnn & Craig Morris of Carson City, Nevada; and five grandchildren: Stephen and Olivia Martin, Nathan Martin, Kayla Avery, Kelsee Avery, and Andrew Morris; and nine nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 6th at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home. Oleta’s Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 7th, at the Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home at 2133 E Rainbow Ave, Laramie, WY 82070, with her son, LeRoy Martin, officiating. Interment will be Monday, June 9th at 10:00 AM in Green Hill Cemetery.
Oleta’s family is extremely grateful to Ivinson Memorial Hospital and Hospice of Laramie for their compassion and care during her illness.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Laramie at 1754 Centennial Dr., Laramie, WY 82070.
Dear Leroy, Lynette, and LeAnn, I truly wish I could be there this weekend to honor the memory of your Mom and celebrate her life. What a special lady! I have countless fond memories of my “growing up years” with you: so many bike rides and games played outside in the yards and streets of our neighborhood, Bluebird (and later) Campfire Girls meetings, overnight sleepovers in the tent in my backyard, and ENDLESS hours playing the player piano on your basement— pretending we were on “The Grand Ole Opry!” Your Mom had the patience of a saint! She was always kind, sweet, and as I recall, always had a baked treat of some sort! Much later, when you lived on Coughlin Street and all four of us we were in high school (Leroy was a senior and we three were sophomores), I came over one day after school. I hadn’t been to your house for a while and your Mom gave me the biggest hug. She really made me feel special. If I recall correctly, I had come over to watch the premiere of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. (Premiere or not, it was the first time I had seen it.) Later, we played “Country Roads” on the player piano and sang, just like we had when we were elementary kids. The last time I saw her was the weekend of our 30th class reunion. I was so delighted to visit with her, and she gave me that same sweet smile that lit up her whole face. I loved your Mom. I’ll miss her. I pray that many sweet memories will soften your grief and give you moments of peace and joy as you navigate this tremendous loss. I love you all!
LeRoy, Lynette, and LeAnn, I am so sorry to read of your mom's passing. She was one of the friendliest ladies I had the pleasure of working with at UW. Her smile would just light up a room!! Recently, I passed her door at Spring Wind on the way to see dad and I would think of her smile and our conversations. May God hold you tightly during this difficult time.
She was one of a kind! I have so many memories – from chicken gizzards to jean stretchers to the player piano! All who fortunate enough to know her, loved her. She was just that sort of person – so welcoming and warm and making everybody feel so special. I was sure blessed to know your mom and I know you will miss her terribly. Sending your whole family my love. 💛
I’m sad to learn of her passing, sending my love and prayers to her family. What a special lady she was! I have fond memories of her, especially in college. She was so kind and loving to those of us who were away from home. I am blessed to be friends with her 2 daughters, and to know the Martin family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of your mother. She was such an incredible woman. I loved growing up with her and the kids. She was always so sweet and kind. Thank you for sharing your mom with my family. She will be missed by all. Love Vicki Corbin Heinrich
To the Martin family I am sorry to hear about your mom. What a beautiful lady! Sending our condolences to your family.