Kristine Martin (née Lerud), loving wife, mom, sister, and friend passed away surrounded by loved ones on January 20, 2022, in St. Paul, MN. Kris was born July 7 in Minneapolis to Lester Reuben and Dorley Lerud (née Asmus). Kris attended Kennedy High School in Bloomington, Minnesota and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Kris' early career included working as a music teacher in Chatfield, Minnesota and as an Actuary [FSA, MAAA] at Lutheran Brotherhood in Minneapolis. Always brilliant with numbers, Kris passed each actuarial exam on the first attempt.

While working at Lutheran Brotherhood, she met her husband Chip Martin. Together, over the years, they built and ran a number of successful businesses, including Martin Bastian in downtown Minneapolis and Amore Coffee in St. Paul.

They also lived adventures that most only dream about, including buying a 31-foot sailboat, learning to sail, and taking a six-month sailing expedition through the Bahamas with a 500-mile crossing to the Virgin Islands. Their trip included major storms and an encounter with pirates.

After spending time in the Virgin Islands and starting a charter boat company, which included an 85-foot pirate ship, they returned to the states and built a log home on a ranch in Telluride, Colorado, where they settled in while starting their family. They eventually returned to Minnesota, where they raised their four incredible children.

In later years, Kris went on to earn her Master of Business Administration and CPA license, and in 2019 opened KM Martin LLC, which provided consulting and tax preparation service for almost 200 clients.

Throughout her business career, Kris never lost touch with her love of music, working as a pianist and organist in churches around the Twin Cities, and most recently as Director of Music at Grace Lutheran Church in Bloomington.

Kris is preceded in death by parents Dorley and Reuben Lerud and daughter Katrina Jeanne. She is survived by her husband Steven (Chip) Martin; children Mackenzie, Madison, Tiller, and Jennifer; sister Jennifer; and brother Theodore.

A memorial service is planned for March 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 8700 Old Cedar Avenue South, Bloomington, MN. Coffee and refreshments will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Grace Lutheran Church Music Department.

Published on February 6, 2022