Rhonda L Safstrom

Rhonda L. (Martin) Safstrom, age 64, of Portage, IN, passed away Friday, August 11, 2023, at home, surrounded by her family. Rhonda was born January 5, 1959, in Gary, IN to the late Jim and Helen (nee Leach) Martin. She grew up in East Gary (Lake Station) and graduated from East Gary Edison High School Class of “77. Rhonda was the Valedictorian of her class. She attended Purdue Calumet and graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Rhonda continued her studies in the area of Pediatrics and was a Pediatric nurse. She was a nurse for a total of 44 years, 37 of which were as a school nurse for the School City of Hammond. Rhonda loved and took pride in her job and loved her students and staff at Morton Elementary. She was a long time member of NASN (National Association of School Nurses). Rhonda was also a long serving representative for PYB (Portage Youth Basketball). She was a member at Classics Bodyworks where she enjoyed Zumba. Rhonda enjoyed bowling with her parents and uncles at Hobart Lanes. She was an avid Notre Dame Football fan (and could often be heard across the house “coaching” them). Rhonda was also a huge Cubs fan and loved watching the Cubs with her son, Arthur, and always looked forward to going to the movies with him. She thoroughly enjoyed cheering her grandkids on in all their activities and had gamechanger mastered to watch her grand-daughters softball games. Rhonda will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends. She was the softball, basketball, soccer mom. She was a valiant warrior to the end. Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents-Jim and Helen Martin; two brothers-Jimmy and Al Martin; nephew-Scott Smoot; great nephew-Baylon Meyer. She is survived by her children- Ashley (Frank) Montoleone of Jacksonville, FL, Emily Safstrom, Arthur Safstrom of Portage, IN, Trey (Sarah) Safstrom of Ruthon, MN, David (Kate) Safstrom of Corydon, IN, Heather Crowe of Charleston, S.C., Dusty Liston of Winona, MN; grandchildren-Zoey, Piper, Liberty, Lauryn, Rylie, Taylor and Hunter; great grandchildren-Paxtyn and Huxley; sister-Beverly (Steve) Smoot of Midland, MI; brother-Michael (Cathie) Martin of Westville, IN; sisters-in-law-Cheryl Neff of Pueblo West, CO, Sandy (Luis) Cuellar of Valparaiso, IN; brothers-in-law-Jasen Faust and Paul Rykiel of Chicago, IL; nine nieces and nephews; many great nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation for Rhonda will be held Friday, August 18, 2023, from 10:00 a.m., until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m., at Nativity of our Savior Catholic Church, 2929 Willowcreek Road, Portage, Rev. Kevin McCarthy officiating. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Portage, IN. Burns Funeral Home (Hobart) entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com.

Rhonda L Safstrom

January 5, 1959 - August 11, 2023