Heaven gained the sweetest mama, wife, grandma, sister, and friend today, February 11, 2024, as my mom, Marti Bichel, passed in her sleep peacefully and painlessly, here at our shared home.

Marti was born in Stephenson, Michigan at home and remained there for her school years. She spent some time in many cities from LA to Fargo and then was a long-term resident of Wichita, Kansas before moving in with us for the last several years in the KC metro. She has been a huge part of our lives and we were blessed by her being here. While getting ready for this day, she expressed that she wanted to be here at home with us and pass in her sleep, and that is exactly what she did. Most of you know she had prior battles with cancer and she had navigated those with much grace and strength.

To be honest, I don't think ever got over the passing of my dad, Spencer, but she did find joy in the last several years living here with her family and her grandkids, Spencer, Sarah, and Aidan. She also loved visiting with her friends, camping, fishing, and all things Christmas. She loved to tell stories of the "old days" way back to days growing up in upper Michigan with all of her siblings, snow tubing, milking cows, and the long walk to their favorite swimming hole. And later in Fargo, North Dakota making more lifelong friends playing softball and camping… so many funny stories there, with Dad's ball team. She had many favorite recent activities including bingo, being an avid sports fan (everything from the NFL to NASCAR), playing cards and dice, word puzzles, swimming, and hanging out with her well-loved, spoiled sphynx cat, Hazel. Billiards/pool became a Re-emerging pastime the last couple of years, so we traded in our traditional dining table to keep her mind and body active and all chipped in to get her a pool table at home, which she loved. She of course enjoyed spending time with her family almost as much as we love spending time with her.   We've been blessed by this multigenerational family experience in our home the last few years and though she's only been gone a couple of days, her absence is felt to our depths and she is missed deeply. She kept her smile, laugh, sweetness, and sense of humor right to the very end. I am so glad she and Erin got along so well and laughed together too. His heart and all of our hearts break with your absence but we are grateful for the mercy it afforded so you did not suffer. Erin said he misses your "love ya son" thank-you's that made him your son by choice. The two of you together giggling will forever be one of my favorite memories…even if I didn't always know what the heck you two were thinking, or laughing about. You got each other and that was such a Godsend. Thank you all for your prayers as our family remembers her, adjusts to her not being here, and still celebrates her life so well lived. She blessed all she knew. I already miss you mama and I miss your frequent hugs. The boys and I have all discussed how Mom let us each know that she was filled with strength, faith, love, and humor, and she made sure we felt it always growing up. I thank my mama for this life, my faith, my brothers, and ultimately my own kids/family. Please hug Daddy and the others for me, until I see you again, XO- Leta, Erin, Scott, Greg, and Randy

Marti was preceded in death by both her parents Leonard and Leta Bright, her sisters Beatrice, and Norma, her brother Leonard Jr., and her beloved husband, Spencer Bichel.

She is survived by her siblings Mary, Fern, Susie, Wendy, Rosie, and Tommy and her sister-in-law Evelyn. She is also survived by four children, three sons, and their spouses: Scott and Teri Hittman, Greg and Regina Hittman, Randy Hittman, and her daughter Leta Rogers and son-in-law, Erin Rogers. She and Spencer have 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with another due in May. Spencer and Marti's legacy of love, faith, laughter, and family lives on in their memory.

Marti Bichel, rest in peace

2/10/43- 2/11/24