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CHICAGO -- When Martha Anderson (Torlak) told people her birthdate -- 4-4-44 -- they always asked her if these were her lucky numbers and if she played the lottery. She always got a kick out of the reactions she would get. Martha Anderson passed away on Sept. 27, 2026.
Martha grew up in Iron Mountain and spent summers at Spread Eagle, Wis. -- a place where she loved to be. In 1962, Martha graduated from Iron Mountain High School, where she was the editor of the paper The Mountaineer. During high school, she went to journalism camp at Michigan State University and she knew then that she wanted to go to college. She went on to attend Knox College, where she enjoyed anthropology and sociology courses; during these years, she met some of her dearest friends to this day. She graduated from Knox in 1966 with a degree in sociology.
Martha and three of her college friends moved to Chicago, where she started working as a caseworker for the State of Illinois. After five years in the field as a caseworker, she became a supervisor at Wicker Park. She went on to become an administrator at the Uptown and then the Northern office, which was the largest public aid office in the state.
She spent her career not only helping people whom she worked with to provide services but also helping the people whom she worked with in the office. She always celebrated others' promotions and accomplishments. Martha also worked as the employee assistance coordinator -- a position that she found to be an honor to be chosen for.
In the '60s and '70s, Martha was active in social justice demonstrations in Chicago. She always believed in standing up for something and not being afraid; Martha was always an advocate for human rights.
On May 4, 1991, she married Ante Torlak, her loving husband. They shared a special bond and were there to support each other. In 2001, she received her life-saving liver transplant; in 2009, she received her life-saving kidney transplant. Through the generosity of two individuals, she lived for decades beyond what she would have without the donated organs.
At the end of her life, Martha felt like she was given the gift of time. She spent her final weeks hearing from and seeing friends and family -- speaking all of the words that were a gift to say and hear. Her approach to life was simple: Just live everyday. Take advantage of your opportunities. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.
Martha only played the lottery a few times in her life, but every time her birthday came around she felt lucky for another year and some more chances to say 4-4-44.
In the U.S., Martha is survived by her husband, Ante Torlak; her brother, Bill Anderson (Linda) and her sister-in-law, Boofer; nephews Bill Anderson (Amy) and George Anderson (Virginia); nieces Tracy Anderson (Bill), Katie Sytniak (John), Martha Fussman (Kevin); grand-nieces and nephews, Cooper, Sophia, Emma, Ella, Sam, Amelia, Anderson, and Otto.
Martha is pre-deceased by her mother and father, Lucille and William Anderson; and brother George Anderson.
In Croatia, brothers-in-law Ivan (Marija), Marco (Sena); and sister-in-law, Marija Buovac (Mate); nephews and nieces, Bozena, Yasna, Suzanna, Anita, Gordona, Drazen, Mario, Josip and Ivan. In addition, Martha leaves behind cousins and many, many dear friends.
Martha asks that you consider honoring her by becoming an organ donor and giving others the chance to live that she has been given.