Assisted Living Residents Spotlight: Don & Marta S.

Marta was born in Nebraska and lived in a small farming community until she was 11 years old. Her family moved to Manhattan Beach, California. The move was was an exciting experience for her.

Back in Nebraska, they didn’t have indoor plumbing, so California was like a whole new world. She and her younger brother were very close growing up and spent lots of time together.

Don is Marta's second husband. She has four children from this previous marriage. Marta has two boys, Steve and Jeff, and two girls, Debbie and Laura.

Unfortunately, Debbie, their oldest daughter passed away from cancer. Marta enjoys being a mother and found it was something that’s built into you.

After struggling through the Dust Bowl in South Dakota, Don’s parents and two older brothers made the move out to California. They lost their crops two years in a row, so his father made the decision that it was time for a change. He was born soon after they came to Culver City.

Don has a passion for cooking, one he developed early on while watching his mother cook. His first job was at Sinbad’s restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier. Additionally, he later worked for a chef that taught him everything he knows. He worked at several country clubs in Southern California. He even had the opportunity to serve stars like Andy Thomas and Frank Sinatra.

The U.S. Army drafted Don as Private First Class and he worked as a cook for the officers. He went to Fort Ord for basic training and then he and four others in his company went to a school for cooking. Don spent two years, three months and five days in the military. He was only supposed to serve two years, but the raising of the Berlin Wall extended his time.

Don and Marta met in a singles’ group at their church. On Sundays, after church, he took Marta and her four children to lunch. The two dated for some time before tying the knot. Don was supportive of Marta and her children, and he was every woman’s dream: he could cook.

Marta’s work schedule kept her out later than Don, so he prepared dinner before she got home. Marta worked in offices like the Air Force facility in El Segundo, TRW, and several other aerospace facilities. Don also taught classes of young chefs at LA Tradetech College. He and Marta also had the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. Don wrote a letter to the White House Chef, Henry Haller. Henry gave them a private tour of the White House during President Ronald Reagan’s Administration.

Don and Marta celebrate 44 years of marriage. They have ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. There are also two more great grandchildren on the way. Their family lives all over the world and they’re proud of all their accomplishments. One of their granddaughters serves as a pilot on an Apache Helicopter for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

Don and Marta enjoy socializing and getting to know the other residents at Renaissance Village. They like to take part in the different activities offered. Marta says it’s the best way to get to know others and make friends. She also shares that living here is much like you are on vacation every day.