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Phyllis Martin
PHYLLIS E. MARTIN
Toledo
Phyllis Elaine Martin, 75, longtime resident of Toledo, passed away peacefully at her home Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo with a meal and fellowship to follow.
Phyllis was born to Hollis and Jessie (Harrison) Huffman on Nov. 16, 1941, in Fairfield, Iowa. She married her high school sweetheart, Wayne G. Martin, on Aug. 23, 1957. Together they raised three children in Toledo, where she provided in-home daycare for most of her adult life nurturing approximately 45 children over the years. She was affectionately called Grandma by all her kids. She retired in 2002 following a progression of her Parkinson's illness. She battled the disease for 25 years with little fear and much bravery, which allowed her the time to make the most of her life and the lives of those she touched.
Phyllis very much enjoyed the children of her day care, the many family trips to Colorado and Wyoming in their fifth wheel camping trailer, the yearly vacations with friends to Lake of the Ozarks and going to a variety of shows and listening to country music in Branson, Mo., during her and Wayne's retirement years. Her most treasured times were being with and watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and thrive.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Wayne; her sister, Judy Filby; three children, Linda Plogmann, Darla Miesner and Rustal Martin; six grandchildren, Danielle Hardon, Jennifer Thiessen, Keegan Miesner, Jessica Hazelton, Jacob Martin and Emily Martin; and seven great-grandchildren, Payton, Trevon and Braxton Hazelton, Alexis and Shayla Thiessen and Catherine and Grace Hardon.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert Huffman and Glen Huffman; and one granddaughter, Kelsey Miesner.
Phyllis was a loving woman who was kind, gentle, caring and a dear friend to many. She fought a long battle with Parkinson's entering into the final stages these past few months when she died peacefully in her home with her husband and family members by her side.
Memorials may be directed to Christ United Methodist Church, 301 S. Broadway St., Toledo, IA 52342; or Mercy Hospice, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233.
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