Martha Louise Anspach , 86, of Columbia City, died unexpectedly at 7:06 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2025, at Parkview Whitley Hospital.

She was born January 29, 1939, in Whitley County, Indiana, a daughter of the late Earl J. and Mary A. (Pequignot) Hinen.  Growing up in Whitley County, she finished elementary school at Jefferson Twp. and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1957.

On September 13, 1958, she married Gordon H. Anspach.  They have always made their home in Columbia City raising two children.  Gordon died on October 13, 2011.

From 1957 until 1995, Martha was a legal secretary for the Gates & Gates Law Office in Columbia City.  She first served as the personal secretary for Governor Ralph Gates and then Robert Gates.  After she retired from the law office, she worked part-time for the former Scotts Grocery Store in Columbia City then became a volunteer at the Whitley County Memorial Hospital in the gift shop where her service earned her the coveted Heart of Gold award.

A fan of Big 10 Basketball, she enjoyed following the IU Hoosiers.  Enthusiastically supporting her kid's and grandkids' sporting events, she had a reputation for always arriving early, often the first to arrive.  She liked to visit with friends and acquaintances, always remembering names and birthdays.  Sunday evening was dinner with family at a local restaurant with Martha picking up the tab.

She was a faithful member of the St Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.

Surviving are her children, Melanie (Brian) Call and Brian (Michelle) Anspach, both of Columbia City; grandchildren, Joseph (Jessica) Call, Kelly (Thomas "TJ") Walstrom, Garrett Anspach, Carson Anspach, Dylan Anspach, and Bronson Anspach; great-grandchildren, Collin Fry and Eliza Walstrom; a sister Marilyn (Darwin) Zumbrun; a brother Dale (Sharon) Hinen both of Columbia City; and a brother-in-law James (Sharon) Anspach of Bowling Green, KY.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a sister Carolyn Hinen.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday (March 14th) at St Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S Line St., Columbia City, with Father Cyril Fernandes as the officiant.  Burial is at the Greenhill Cemetery.  Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the service Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials are to the Columbia City Eagle Sanctuary Adult Playground c/o WCCS Design Collaborative, P.O. Box 511, Columbia City, IN  46725 or St Paul of the Cross Masses.