Martha McGlothlen
Martha McGlothlen
Martha McGlothlen
September 11, 1937 – April 15, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 78
Martha E. McGlothlen, 78, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, April 15, 2016, at Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Center in Oskaloosa. Martha was born September 11, 1937, on the family farm northwest of Eddyville, in Mahaska County. She was the second of three daughters born to Orville and Mattie Wymore Cox.
Martha started school at Star County School. In third grade she starting riding the school bus to Eddyville School. She graduated from Eddyville High School with the class of 1955. On September 25, 1955, she was united in marriage to Rodger Gene McGlothlen at the Oskaloosa Christian Church. To this union three children were born, Warren Gene, Jeri Lynn and Rodney Dean.
Martha and Rodger farmed for nearly 25 years, living in various communities and collecting many friends and fond memories. They also had a trucking business. Early on Martha worked at Woolworths for a short time before she was married. Following Rodger’s sudden death in 1980, she helped the boys on the farm and later became the bookkeeper at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Following Rodger’s death, Martha stayed on the home place for a time, she later traded houses with Warren and moved to the Heckenberg Farm. In 2001, she purchased a home and moved to Oskaloosa. Later she was appointed board secretary at the Eddyville Community School for over 15 years. She retired from there in 2004. After retirement she worked part-time in the Hot Lunch Program at the Oskaloosa Community School District then Fremont CS. She later returned to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont School District in the board office a couple days a week.
Martha enjoyed working with her children in 4-H, sewing, neighborhood club, playing cards and cooking meals for her family, friends, and hired help. She loved the Southern Iowa Fair, she looked forward to taking tickets and the races every Wednesday. She also enjoyed trips to the casino with her friends. She was a member of the Eddyville Historical Museum and she attended the Good News Chapel in Oskaloosa.
Her family includes her three children: Warren (& Lynn) McGlothlen of Albia, Jeri (& Tom) Wicker of Prairie City, and Rodney (& Sarah) McGlothlen of Oskaloosa; seven grandchildren: Renee (& Robin) Sol of Overland Park, Kansas, Sarah (& Ben) Sievers of Taos, New Mexico, R.J. McGlothlen of Albia, Sydney McGlothlen of Pella, Jordan Brown of Clearwater, Florida, Shannon Johnson of Cedar Falls, and Sam Johnson of Ames; three great grandchildren: Jada Sol, Kaia Sol and Thomas Sievers; and a sister, Lois Sonderleither of Washington State.
In addition to her husband, Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother in law, Roy and Maxine McGlothlen; a sister, Doris Monk; two brothers in law: Ken Sonderleiter and Donald McGlothlen; and a very special friend, Raymond VanZee.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Rick VanWeelden officiating.
Burial will be in the Bluff Creek Cemetery southwest of Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Monday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 6-8 Monday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Southern Iowa Fair.
