Natalie Renee Martin

Natalie Renee Martin saved Jenna J. Martin and died after attempting to save Benjamin L. Martin and Carter J. Maki from burning, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, January 26, 2016. At night, siblings Jenna, 9; Benjamin, 10; and Carter, 7, were in bedrooms on the second floor of their family’s two-story house after fire broke out in the basement. Their sister, Natalie, 11, student, discovered the fire and woke Jenna. She led Jenna downstairs, where fire from the basement was starting to enter the kitchen. Taking Jenna to a side door, Natalie opened the door, allowing Jenna to escape the house, and then she turned back into the structure, despite deteriorating conditions. Jenna fled to a neighbor’s house to alert help. First responders were initially thwarted by smoke and heat from entering the burning house. In the dense smoke, firefighters then located Natalie, Benjamin, and Carter together in another second-floor bedroom. All were unresponsive and later died of complications from smoke inhalation: Carter that night, Natalie the next morning, and Benjamin one day later.

88025 – 9898

Obituary

Natalie R. Martin, 11, of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., died on Jan. 27, 2016, as a result of a fire the night before at her family home. She was born on March 8, 2004, in Sheboygan, Wis. She was the daughter of Matthew Martin, Kristi (Schmidt) and Christopher Maki.

Natalie was a sixth grader at Farnsworth Middle School and attended Crossroads Community Church, both in Sheboygan. She was a member of the REINS, Inc. Therapeutic Riding Program and school chorus. Natalie was artistic and enjoyed arts, crafts, and singing.

In December 2016, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission posthumously recognized Natalie for her actions after the fire. She woke a sister and led her out of the house. She then attempted to save her two brothers, who died of complications from smoke inhalation.

(Edited from an obituary published by the Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls.)