Martha Ann Kooistra, age 73, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at UAMS in Little Rock.  She was born on January 10, 1953, in Morrilton, to Flave W. and Ella Ann Peters.

Martha Ann was a follower of Jesus Christ her entire life and is now privileged to be embraced by His presence. Martha lived her formative years in Russellville.  Martha Ann married John Kooistra III, on May 29, 1977, and she and John lived in Little Rock for the remainder of her life.

Martha Ann was a graduate of Russellville High School and Vanderbilt University where she made many friends and obtained a B.S. in Nursing. She was a registered nurse where she worked in many hospitals and was known as Mattie to all of her grandchildren.  The gift of being Mattie was one of her greatest treasures.

Martha Ann had many interests that she loved including her church, St. Andrews Church Little Rock and many of its ministries including the Growing in Grace Ministry. She had a heart for all people and was especially drawn to the Immerse Arkansas ministry.  In everything that she did, she always made sure to share the Gospel and bring a bright spirit to everyone she met.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Martha Ann is survived by her husband, John Kooistra III of Little Rock; her mother, Ella Ann Peters of Little Rock; her daughter and son-in-law, Ann Marie and Alex Gray of Little Rock; a son and daughter-in-law, John Samuel Kooistra and Aurora Sartori of Tucson, Arizona; four granddaughters, Ann Elizabeth, Margaret, and Vivian Gray, all of Little Rock and Olympia Kooistra of Tucson, Arizona; and a brother and sister-in-law, Ormond and Patricia Peters of Russellville. Martha Ann had a wonderful extended family who are too numerous to name here but were always on her heart.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2026, at St Andrews Anglican Church, 8300 Kanis Road, Little Rock, with the Rev. Robert Cook officiating. Burial will be private in Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Immerse Arkansas, 5300 Asher Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com .