Age 20, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at home with her family by her side, following a lifelong battle with mitochondrial disease. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 1, 1997.

Madelaine enjoyed spending time with family, camping, hunting with her grandfather, and watching movies, especially musicals. She loved the fine arts, performing with her brother in musicals through Homeschool Performing Arts while her parents played in the orchestra pit. She also had a great love for animals, especially the horses she rode and groomed at the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center in Augusta, MI. Through her physical therapy there, she learned responsibility, compassion and a true appreciation of God’s creatures. Her greatest gift, however, was photography, which, in spite of her limits from mitochondrial disease, enabled her to show others the world as she saw it: a world most of us would hurry past while missing the beauty her eyes perceived in spite of its fallen state. This gift ultimately led to concurrent displays of her work at Art Prize 2015 in Grand Rapids, and a gallery at the Van Singel Fine Arts Center in Byron Center. When Madelaine could no longer physically venture outdoors with her camera, she took up a volunteer position with explore.org, operating live online nature cameras around the world from the comfort of her home.

Throughout her life, Madelaine’s love of Jesus Christ never wavered. When many would have cursed God for their afflictions, she remained steadfast, encouraging others as she was able. She fought for her faith as she fought against her disease, proving always to be a good and faithful servant.

Her family would like to offer their deepest gratitude to Dr. John Humphrey and his wife, Laurie, along with nurses Beth Kastner and Angie Havaich and the staff of the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin who fought so hard to give Madelaine the best quality of life possible over the last several years. They also warmly thank Aunt Sandy Hoffbeck and family, Pastor Jonathon Krenz and family, nurse Rhonda Kohls-Dailey and family, Maddie’s Dream Team, the church family of Northeastern Baptist Church, and finally, from Heartland Hospice, Bill Dineen, Joan Blessings, Pam Inzano-Wesaw, Donna Harmon , and pastors Brian Lutz and Scott Sutherland, for their medical, emotional, and spiritual support.

Madelaine is survived by her parents, Douglas and Tamera Martin of Galesburg, Mich., and her brother, Nathaniel; her grandfather, Norman “Dubby” Zomer of Galesburg, Mich.; her grandmother, Brenda (Charlie) Staples of Surprise, Ariz.; her great grandmother, Thelma Bennett of Springdale, Ark.; her prince of a boyfriend, Caleb Ursiny; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins whom she loved dearly. She was followed in death one day later by her beloved grandmother, Nancy “Gramz” Zomer.