OVERBROOK, Kan. – Carolyn Y. Martin, 86, of Overbrook, Kan., passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at her home. She was born Nov. 22, 1938, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Melvin Edward Olmstead and Grace Yvonne (Genter) Olmstead.
She attended schools in Wichita, graduating from Wichita North High School with the class of 1957. She attended Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan., where she would meet her husband, Don Martin.
On Sept. 3, 1961, Carolyn was united in marriage to Don Ellis Martin. They shared more than 37 years of marriage before Don’s passing Aug. 1, 1999.
Carolyn and Don settled on the family dairy farm in Overbrook, before moving to their long-time home of 405 Locust St., Overbrook. Family meant everything to Carolyn, who loved to babysit her four grandchildren. She also loved to cook and host family dinners. Her legendary specialty was making hot rolls and cinnamon rolls. She also loved to make potato salad, homemade ice cream and fried chicken. She was known to be her son’s friends’ second mother.
Carolyn worked 33 years as a medical assistant for Dr. Ruble, in Overbrook. After Dr. Ruble’s retirement, Carolyn worked at Cotton O’Neil until she retired in 2005.
She was a member of Overbrook United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and the Red Hatters. She enjoyed cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team, reading romance novels, and attending her sons sporting events.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Grace Olmstead; her husband, Don Martin; brothers, Galen and Gene Olmstead; brother-in-law, Clyde Martin; two sisters-in-law, Sue Martin and Patricia Martin; and her beloved companion, Bitzi, a Yorkie Poo.
Surviving family includes two sons, Craig E. Martin and wife, Michelle, of Overland Park, Kan., and Bruce E. Martin and wife, Stephanie, Wichita; a brother, John Olmstead and wife, Shirley, Ellijay, Ga.; four sisters-in-law, Carol Pierce, Apollo Beach, Fla., Betty Olmstead, Virginia Beach, Va., Cheri Harmison, Overbrook, and Cheryl Stewart, Oakley, Kan.; brother-in-law, Ed Harmison, Overbrook; and four grandchildren, Kylie and Chase Martin, Overland Park, and Evan and Hunter Martin, Wichita.
The family extends a special thank you to Heather Schuh for caring for their Mom, Grammy and Aunt Carolyn.
To celebrate Carolyn’s life, a service of remembrance will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Overbrook United Methodist Church, 1005 Maple St., Overbrook. Interment will follow at Overbrook Cemetery, Overbrook. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Overbrook United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Home is where the Heart is Home Healthcare, Osage City, Kan., and can be sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.
