Martha Janelle Cringle Buss passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at St. Joseph Hospital.

Martha was born on January 11, 1938 in Terra Bella, California, after her family left Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. At age 8, she moved with her family to Humboldt County and lived, as many did at the time, in the Eureka federal housing project (where the Eureka Mall now sits). She formed many lifelong friendships in that neighborhood.

Martha went to Lincoln Elementary School and was a proud member of the self-titled “Lincoln Legends.” Martha joked about being tone deaf and unable to carry a tune. In second grade, she and her friend Rich Ames sang so poorly that they were removed from class and made to sing in front of the principal so that they did not bring the entire class down. While Rich went on to become a beautiful singer, often performing at weddings and various events in the community, Martha remained forever musically challenged.

Martha was also an active member of Eureka High School’s Class of ’56. Martha was a driving force in the class’s Eureka reunions, held every five years, and rarely missed the 56ers’ annual mini reunions in Reno. In addition to class reunion activities, Martha was often seen at the Adorni Center as part of the Light and Lively exercise group and at monthly luncheons of the Red Hat group.

Martha married Robert (Bob) Buss in 1961. They celebrated 50 years of marriage before his passing in 2011. Together Bob and Martha raised two daughters and owned several local businesses before they retired in the late 80’s. Martha was a devoted mother and staunch supporter of her girls. She alternated “room mother” duties between the two during their elementary school years and was the cookie coordinator for their Girls Scout troops. Martha even overcame her terror of snakes to be “grub worm,” the organizer of all the food at Girl Scout summer camp. Martha was an avid gardener growing every imaginable vegetable, canning, pickling and baking her way through the summer harvest. Many will miss her gifts of garlic dill pickles and fresh rhubarb!

There was no adventure that Martha shied away from, she was game to try anything! Martha eagerly embraced adventure and experiences shared with friends and family were always her favorite! Martha and her best friend Shirley Moore travelled to Ireland and the Caribbean, in addition to the mischief they shared here in Humboldt. Martha loved travelling with her daughters on “girl trips” to the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and more. She loved roller coasters, tried snow skiing at 50, paragliding at 78, and skydiving at 83. Her fearlessness and zest for life served her well. This was never more apparent than when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013. Her doctors told her she had a 3-5% chance of surviving five years. But Martha told them “I will be one of those 3-5%!” As she predicted, Martha defied the odds, passing away just days before the 12th anniversary of her diagnosis. She would want everyone to know that pancreatic cancer did not kill her! Through her experience Martha became an advocate for people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the local community and was a supporter of the PanCan network. Martha spent her last three+ years enjoying road trips and casino outings with her beau Leroy Murrell.

Martha is survived by her daughters Denise Berry of Anchorage, Alaska and Kathi (Paul) Gutierrez of Tumwater, Washington; her grandchildren Thomas (Jenn) and Ross (Alexandria) Berry and Paige and Chad Gutierrez; and her great grandchildren Jacob, Kaydence, Maxton and Coleman Berry. Martha also leaves behind 4 of her 7 siblings, Shirley Bock, Nancy Pelascini, Ben Cringle and Sandy (Steve) Benson, as well as countless nieces and nephews, including her niece Marsha Jones with whom she had a special relationship. Martha also leaves behind her truest friend Shirley Moore and her loving boyfriend Leroy Murrell.

Martha’s daughters would like to thank the St. Joseph Hospital staff for their care and kindness to our mother.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Martha’s life on August 27, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Old Growth Cellars in Eureka. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humboldt Botanical Gardens or the Sequoia Park Zoo – both of which were very special to Martha.