Martha Bridges

Martha W. Bridges went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Pinecrest Cemetery with Dr. Bill Knepper, Pastor Ken Smith and Pastor Brandon Heron from First Baptist Church officiating.

Martha was born on Sunday March 25, 1928, in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada to George and Helena (Janzen) Warkentin III. Her mother passed away when Martha was only 4 years old. Martha was proud that her mother was a distant relative to Queen Victoria.

Martha graduated from Neapolis Public and Neapolis High Schools at Didsbury, Alberta in the 1940s. She then moved to Calgary, where she attended and graduated from Garbutt College. She also attended Berean Bible College Calgary. She was employed by Royalite Oil Company in Calgary as an executive secretary. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Sandpoint where she was employed as secretary to Dr. Bill Knepper for 16 years. She was very involved in many areas of the church ministry which she enjoyed. Her hobbies were traveling, handwork, reading and music.

Martha moved to Minneapolis in 1958, when she was invited to work for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. After six years in Minneapolis, she became Dr. Billy Graham’s private secretary in Montreat, N.C., in 1964. She worked directly for him for 10 years, traveling to his crusades, typing his sermons, and handling his personal correspondence.

In 1972, Martha met Loren R. Bridges, a radio consultant and professional musician (played the cornet). They were married at the Cleveland Crusade on July 22, 1972, by Dr. Billy Graham. Loren passed away in Sandpoint on July 25, 1987.

She is survived by one brother, Jack F. Warkentine of Calgary; stepson, Dr. Robert (Mary) Bridges of Alaska; and several nieces and nephews, including Kevin and Brent Warkentine.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Loren; six sisters, Helen Mix, Anne Warkentin, Elizabeth Giesbrecht, Maria Kyllo, Katharine Stevenson and Kathleen Warkentin; and one brother, George Warkentin.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Martha’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.