Obituary of Raymonde Marguerite Martfeld

The family of Raymonde (Raye) Martfeld sadly announces her passing on May 8, 2021 in Saskatoon, SK. Raye was born on October 24, 1932 to Ida (nee Langevin) and Adrien Côté. She grew up on a farm outside of Perigord, SK. with her many brothers and sisters where she attended Perigord School taught by Catholic Sisters. Raye was happiest when she was outside helping her Dad with the animals and farming and she loved to tell stories of stooking sheaves with her Dad. 

As an elder girl, Raye was integral in the duties inside the house as well. Those were very tough years during which they survived the depression and Second World War. Raye’s stories of how her Mom and Dad managed to feed, clothe and comfort all those children made all realize that she learned her love and caring for others from ‘the pros’. This ability to juggle so many things so efficiently was Raye’s special talent. 

Raye left the family farm and moved to Wilkie, SK. to complete her legal secretary program, eventually taking a job with Mr. Cleill, who was a lawyer and the mayor of Unity. While in Wilkie she also assisted her aunt and uncle with work around their hotel. Raye met the love of her life, Donald Martfeld, in 1952 while she was working for Mr. Cleill and there are numerous anecdotes of how they met and how Mr. Cleill played matchmaker. Raye and Don were married on June 30, 1953 and lived on the Martfeld farm where Raye was the perfect partner for Don in all things and a fundamental part of the farming operation, which she loved. Together they raised eight children, Lalita (Barry), Laramie (Brenda), Halsey (Ilene), Estelle (Kim), Michelle (Mike), Jocelyne (John), Cynthia (Greg) and Travis (Tannis). Raye was an exceptional seamstress, sewing amazing clothes and costumes for the kids for all their school endeavors and plays. She was able to pull together the most ingenious things out of her never emptied ‘treasure chest’ for birthday presents and special occasions. 

Raye will also be remembered for her wonderful cooking, her large and plentiful garden and her ability to pull off a meal for any number of people, regardless of the situation. She was known for her creativity, resourcefulness and ingenuity; the grandkids always would say “Grandma is such a good inventor!” She also loved photography; from the time of her first Brownie camera, to old home movies, to the VCR and then to digital.  She was bilingual and a voracious reader. She had a loving, helpful and dependable personality who never asked for anything in return. Raye’s faith was strong and she lived it every day. She did all things with love at the core of her service. The Holy Spirit endowed her with many Gifts of the Spirit and for this we are grateful. 

Raye is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Donald; all their children; all her grandchildren; sisters, Claire, Adelia and Rosalie; brothers, Roger and Leo and many other family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Adrien and Ida Côté; brothers, Remi and Joseph and sisters, Armande, Juliette and Marie. Raye will be devotedly remembered, always and forever, by those who love her. 

There will be a private family gathering at a later date to Celebrate the Life of Raye.