Martha Mae Spear

Martha Mae Spear, 95, of Brainerd, passed away on August 20, 2025, at Good Samaritan Woodland in Brainerd. Private family funeral services will be held.

Martha was born on January 20, 1930, in Eddy County, North Dakota, to Lyall and Nellie (Rethemeier) Spearman. She worked for many years as both a taxidermist and a cosmetologist. Martha had a lifelong love of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

After moving to the Brainerd Lakes Area, she became the owner and operator of the Wilderness Museum in Emily, which she ran for over 15 years. A longtime member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter, Martha’s faith was very important to her. She also found joy in quilting and sharing her handiwork with others.

Martha is survived by her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Emil Berg and Edward Spear; and her sisters, Norma, Jean, Nellie, and Grace.