by Dennis Dalman
A long-time Kay’s Kitchen employee and St. Joseph resident Jean Marthaler, injured seriously after a recent fall while in Norway, is now the subject of an online GoFundMe account to help her family with medical expenses.
Marthaler slipped and fell during her first night on a trip to Norway. The fall caused serious injuries, and she is currently recuperating at a Norwegian hospital. She had lost feeling in her arms and legs and then underwent decompression surgery. Thankfully, some of the arms-legs feelings have returned. She remains in Norway in an intensive-care unit and has started a physical-therapy regimen.
Marthaler’s daughter, Amy Trentacoste, initiated the GoFundMe page and has given periodic updates of her mother’s condition:
“Some really good and positive news today! My aunt, who is with her right now, let us know.. She said she’s looking better every day and her hands are opening up instead of being tight and clenched. They’re more relaxed . . . physical therapy . . . Thank you all so much for coming together in prayer and showing us your kindness! We are humbled and appreciate it so much!
Trentacoste noted her father, Jean Marthaler’s husband, Allen, has flown to Norway to be with his wife. A sister and brother-in-law of Marthaler’s has also flown to visit her in Norway.
Kay’s Kitchen
Jean Marthaler is a beloved person to many people in St. Joseph and beyond. She worked for more than 45 years at Kay’s Kitchen, a café-restaurant that has become one of the city’s landmarks and favorite go-to places. She started as a server and later became its manager for many years, then after that job, she became a server again.
Genealogy
Marthaler is also known far and wide as an expert genealogist, especially for her vast knowledge of Norwegian history and heritage.
She has helped many people establish ancestral connections to Norwegian relatives through genealogic research.
Besides helping establish those family-heritage people connections, she has been to Norway about two dozen times and conducts many tours there for Americans keenly interested in their Norwegian backgrounds.
Marthaler herself has a Norwegian background. Ever since she was a girl growing up near Glenwood, she has been fascinated with her family’s Norwegian heritage and began genealogic research when she was very young.
Back home
Marthaler’s loved ones are eagerly looking forward to having her back home and healing.
Daughter Amy posted this online:
“We don’t know much yet what will happen after that ICU, depends on how she progresses. We have looked into the possibility of an air ambulance to get her home at some point, but she may very likely have to go to a rehab facility in Colorado for a while. Thank you so much for your prayers, kindness and donations. I appreciate it more than I can say.
How to donate:
To contribute to Jean Marthaler’s GoFundMe account, visit the following site:
Gofundme.com/f/help-cover-medical-bills-for-moms-recovery
Jean Marthaler of St. Joseph is clearly exuberant in this photo snapped during one of her many trips to Norway.