Martha Hess

Martha Louise (Huntzinger) Hess

1942 ~ 2025

Martha Louise (Huntzinger) Hess

Marty Hess (83) passed away peacefully in her Holladay, Utah home on November 11, 2025. She received her paternal grandmother's name, Martha Louise, at birth on April 23, 1942, in Monterey Park, Los Angeles, California . Her family moved to American Fork, Utah four years later where she grew up until going to Utah State University (Logan, Utah) for college.

Her character was shaped by being the only girl and middle child with two older brothers and two younger brothers. Loved by her family, she never easily fit into the older group or the younger grouping; being the only girl also molded her into self-reliance and independence. She excelled in High School with many friends and awards. Spending hours at practice to become proficient at piano and violin demonstrated her creativity and determination. Her mother insisted she be given the same college education, rather than secretarial school, that her brothers received. Her university nickname, Marty, fit so well, she used it throughout her life. She was extremely active in sorority and student life at USU, often cited as an example for timid girls.

Marty was an excellent teacher and educational administrator and was employed by several organizations during her 35-year career. With her masters degree in education and English she taught "dumbbell English" while pursuing her PHD. That study was briefly interrupted by marriage, divorce, and birth of her son. After several years as instructor and doctoral candidate while being a single mother she abandoned higher education to raise her son. Her first job was to turn the reports of engineers employed at Thikol Chemical's rocket testing site in northeast Utah into readable English. Employment at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City translated into a long tenure with US Job Corps teaching Standard English writing, reading, math, and comprehension tailored to at-risk and underqualified students. She relocated many times, from California to Arizona, to New Mexico to Virginia; she usually functioned as Site Director along with her teaching. Moving back to Salt Lake City, she finished her career as professor in the Salt Lake Community College system utilizing her established skills. Although a tough task master she was respected, loved, and honored by her students and colleagues. 

Marty was a tenacious and determined woman with a sharp wit. While refusing to "have a battle of wits with an unarmed person," she either ignored or most often taught them. When health conditions threatened to terminate her career at various times, she refused to stop, instead pushing on with determination. 

Marty was extremely proud and devoted to her son although she consented to having him spend his summers in American Fork, Utah with her parents; Randal became known as the sixth Huntzinger kid. Throughout his medical education and practice she often spoke with him daily.

She had a love for dachshund dogs. Energetically engaged, she bred, raised, and sold her miniature dachshunds. While winning many prizes and awards in American Kennel Club Conformation and Breed Competition Events through the years, Marty's objective was not only to sell the puppies, but rather to improve her breed; she loved the total commitment required. In her travels with work and Dog Exhibitions she enjoyed gathering antiques and collectibles, notably a large collection of dachshund memorabilia, frogs and paintings. Challenging to play with, Marty loved crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and Word with Friends; often with a smirk she would comment, "that's interesting. Please explain where that comes from." An avid gardener despite limited space and Utah climate she loved her exotic plantings.

Marty was preceded in death by Randal's father Terry O. Hess, longtime companion Gary Williams, her son Dr. Randal Orland Hess, her parents Ivon and Evelyn Huntzinger, and her brother Richard Huntzinger. She is survived by thirteen nieces and nephews, her granddaughters Abigail Hess and Victoria Hess, and brothers Ronald Huntzinger (Carol) of Utah, Robert Huntzinger (ej) of California, and Ralph Huntzinger (Brenda Gardner) of Washington.

The memorial service in remembrance of Marty Hess is still in the planning phase.