Martha ‘Mardi’ Carroll

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, loving mother and grandmother, Martha “Mardi” Ann Carroll (Trask) passed away at the age of 76 in Ephrata, Wash. 

Born in Hanau, Germany, on Nov. 20, 1947, Mardi was born by the name Brigitte Maria to Elise Liselotte Ruffer. In search of a better life for her daughter, Mardi’s birth mother placed her for adoption at a very young age where she finally found her forever home with her parents, Raymond Harrison and Lucia Elizabeth Trask, in Moses Lake, Wash. 

Growing up in Mae Valley, she enjoyed country life especially riding her horse. In 1966, Mardi graduated Moses Lake High School and spent the majority of her life living in Moses Lake until she finally retired to Ephrata, Wash. She spent the span of her working years in the service industry and spent her retired years in the service of others. During her life, she served in many roles and positions to honor our American veterans and the Ephrata community. Most recently she was a 20-plus-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the 9th District Women’s Auxiliary president, the president of the Ephrata Historical Society, the secretary of the Columbia Basin Carriage Club, secretary and founding member of her chip toss league and a previous longtime member of the Soap Lake Rod and Gun Club. 

Mardi was a lover of animals, especially basset hounds, and could very often be heard jokingly saying she liked them more than most people. She loved camping, traveling and the color purple, as shown by her signature purple hair streak, and found the ocean as her happy place. A lifelong football fan, she was always willing to bet a friendly wager on any game and could almost daily be seen wearing something with her beloved Seattle Seahawks. Most importantly she will be remembered as an amazing mother, grandmother, friend and confidant who was always willing to listen to someone and offer advice, a big hug and if you were lucky enough, a big kiss. She loved her son immensely and her grandchildren even more. Her lifelong friendship with Jean Fleming spanned many decades and Jean sadly joined her in the tragic accident that led to their passing. 

Mardi was preceded in death by her parents Ray Trask and Lucia Trask-Engles (Hughes). She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Terra Carroll (Dowers), and grandchildren Tyler Scott, Grant Harrison and Abigail Elizabeth Carroll.

A Celebration of Life for both Mardi and Jean is set for April 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St. SW, Ephrata, Wash. Food will be provided. Please come to share in fellowship and memories to honor these two remarkable women. Mardi’s final resting place will be at the Pacific Ocean to return her one final time to where she always felt at peace.

Condolences can be sent to: Michael Carroll, 9518 N. Atlantic, Spokane, WA 99218. Donations in memory can be sent to: American Legion Post 28, P.O. Box 904, Ephrata, WA 98823 or Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation, 20 Horseneck Lane, 2nd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.