Eileen A Martinsen

Eileen Alza
Strong was born in Wilcox
Nebraska and moved to Idaho
around age 2 when her
family settled in the Ustick
Grove area of Boise. She
attended Ustick School and
Meridian High School, graduating
in 1957. She obtained
her Associates degree in Education
at Boise Junior College
(BSU) in 1959. Eileen
taught 3rd grade at Collister
Elementary until marrying
Merl Martinsen on March
25, 1961 at Ustick Baptist
Church. They were blessed
with a daughter and moved
their blended family of now
5 girls to West Boise. Eileen
enjoyed her role as mom and
wife in their lives, summer
camping in the Idaho mountains,
singing in her church
choir, duets with her husband
and perfecting her seamstress
& quilting skills. She
spent many hours playing
the family piano and singing
her favorite hymns. In 1984,
Eileen and Merl retired to
their new home in Meridian.
During retirement they
were members of Good Sam
Travel Club and Valley Shepherd
Church of the Nazarene.
They also wintered in Arizona
for many years, traveled
coast to coast including Alaska
in their motorhome. She
enjoyed the time spent with
her small grandchildren and
worked in the church nurseries
for many decades. Her
joy was being in the presence
of innocence and love from
children. Eileen’s granddaughter,
Amy was her caregiver
for many years before
her health declined. The family
is very grateful for Amy’s
sacrifice, love and kindness
during those years. Eileen is
survived by brothers Keith
Strong of Redwood City, CA
and Gale Strong of Fallon,
NV; daughter Connie Martinsen
of Columbia, SC and
granddaughters Amy Campbell
of Meridian and Kristin
Campbell of Star with
grandchildren Alexis, Konnor
and Colton. Also four
step-daughters; Ruth, Erin,
Rita and Mary and many
step-grandchildren and great
grandchildren. Her husband
of 54 years, Merl Martinsen,
died in April 2015. Memorial
contributions can be donated
to Valley Shepherd Church of
the Nazarene in Meridian. A
graveside interment at Terrace
Lawns Memorial Gardens
will be planned for the
family at a later date.