On December 12, 2021, Erika Martin (nee Lauersdorf) passed into her next lifetime.
Born in 1939 to Gustav and Augusta Lauersdorf, Erika's childhood, shared with her surviving sister, Renate Flach, was marked by the wartime death of her father and the privations of life in post-war Germany. It was also, however, the story of an adventurous child living close to
nature. At one point, she visited the village psychic, who told her she would marry a dark haired man from far away. After completing school she apprenticed at Frankfurt's premier boutique, Michels, and worked there and at other salons. She then embarked upon a life of adventure throughout Europe, moving to Italy to live as a waitress on the Italian Riviera and working as an au pair in France for a short time. Her first marriage was to a banker named Klaus Loscher; they had met in their training days. The marriage lasted 3 years and ended amicably. In
Sachsenhausen-Frankfurt she finally met her foretold man, a soldier from America named Bruce Martin.

She used her resilience, strength, and work ethic to craft herself a new life with Bruce in Bay City, Michigan. Though the flight over was turbulent enough to put Erika off air travel forever, she embraced everything her new home had to offer, using her unique heritage and endless
nurturing skills to build a gracious, loving home full of culture, learning, and an appreciation of the small pleasures in life. Erika tended her family like her abundant garden: with care, focus, and deep love. She had 2 children, Marlo Martin and Jason (Tracie) Martin. whom she said were
her life. She gave them the best she could, calling herself the Queen Muddler. Her muddled Halloween costumes were legendary. She was a great Mom, home decorator, seamstress, crafter and more.

People loved to be around Erika. She was always in a good mood, very funny, and had a saying or story ready. She loved being the center of attention, and if you were looking for her, you could often just follow the laughter. When times were serious, she doled out her hallmark
wisdom and thoughtful advice. As her roots in America grew deep and strong, Erika made the decision to become a U.S. citizen (she wanted to be able to vote) and was naturalized on July 4 th , 1994. In 2001, Bruce and Erika moved south, to Ruskin, FL. After a decade or so, they became grandparents to Gretel and Gustav Martin. She loved her grandchildren with abandon, making sure this next generation of Martins knew how much they were cherished and celebrating their uniquenesses at every turn. Bruce and Erika were married for 53 years when Bruce passed in 2019. In addition to the aforementioned family members, she is survived by many relatives in Germany.

At Erika's request, no service will be held. Please enjoy the kind of conversation she always offered – witty, warm, and so engaging your dinner will go cold if you're not careful – with someone you love in her honor.