Marta Anna Frost

Feb 18, 1927 -

Oct 5, 2020

Longtime Alaska resident Marta Anna Frost passed away on Oct. 5, 2020, in Girdwood, Alaska. She was 93 years old.

Marta was born to Hermann and Wilhelmine Klein on Feb. 18, 1927, in Mannheim, Germany. She survived two beloved brothers, Hermann and Artur, who died as young soldiers during World War II on the Russian Front. During the U.S. Occupation of Germany, she met and fell in love with a handsome young soldier by the name of Stanley Frost. They married in her hometown and soon welcomed their first of four children.

Two years later, they made the voyage by ship to New York and on to California while she was pregnant with their second daughter. It was a big adjustment for Marta but she was excited to begin her new life in America, albeit sad to leave her parents. Stan's dream was to live in Alaska. He situated Marta near his family in California, brought her parents from Germany to stay with her, their new baby girl and two young daughters, and off he went. Stan found a job in Palmer, a basement on one acre of land, and sent for the family. Marta arrived with her parents and children in 1955.

The family made lifetime friendships within the Matanuska Valley, and to Marta's delight, she discovered a wonderful German community. She enjoyed gardening and the long, beautiful days of Alaska summers. Marta also exhibited a talent in sewing and made nearly all of the family's clothing and it became a lifelong passion. They welcomed a fourth daughter in 1957, and several years later added a nice upstairs addition to the basement.

Around that time, Stan had a business in Anchorage and would fly his Super Cub back and forth from Palmer. They sold their home in 1966, and moved into a walkout basement Stan built on five acres on Hillside Drive overlooking Anchorage. They added a beautiful upstairs addition a few years later with spectacular views of the city, the Alaska Range and Denali. It was home for 54 years.

In 1971, Stan and Marta bought Farewell Lake Lodge, which they operated for more than 30 years. Stan became one of Alaska's first Master Guides and along with Marta's fabulous cooking, baking and language skills, they created an exceptional one-of-a-kind experience that catered to hunters throughout the world. Marta's unique personality and hilarious comments on the two-way radio between her and Stan became a source of entertainment for many years throughout remote Alaska hunting camps. Their partnership made for a very successful business which allowed them the ability to travel extensively, including many trips to Germany for business and visiting family. They owned the lodge until 2002, when it was purchased by one of their daughters.

During that time, they bought a condo in Kauai, Hawaii, and became snowbirds, enjoying winters in the warm sunshine and returning to Alaska to work at the lodge in the spring through fall. Later, they built a winter home in Green Valley, Ariz., where they enjoyed playing golf together and entertaining family and friends. It was there in 2008 that Stan, her beloved husband of 60 years, passed away after years battling an illness. Marta continued spending winters in Arizona with her eldest daughter, and her youngest daughter in Oregon. As her health declined, she lost her ability to travel and lived her last few years in the loving care of her third daughter in Alaska until her death. Marta and Stan's ashes, as per their wishes, were mixed and scattered at their beloved Farewell Lake in August 2021.

Those who knew Marta remember her sunny disposition, wonderful laughter, delightful German accent and her incredibly funny personality. Her baking and German bread were legendary! Marta was a devoted wife and wonderful mother, and will be forever missed by her daughters, their families and those who knew her.

Marta is survived by her daughters, Konstanze Frost Halford, Karen Johnson of Chugiak, Alaska, Cathy Frost of Girdwood and Candace Frost of Portland, Ore; eight grandchildren including, Stacy McKnight, Kd Halford, Tina Orr, Carly Guthrie, Stefanie Denton, Nikki Alfonso, Natalie Booker and Lara Mestyane; as well as 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.

Her family requests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association.