Kathryn Darlene Martin

KATHRYN DARLENE MARTIN

Kalona

Kathryn Darlene Martin was born May 15, 1930, in Jasper County, Iowa, to Willis and Jennie (Poortinga) Nearmyer. She grew up on a farm near Monroe. Darlene attended Newton High School and after graduation, worked at Automatic Washer Co. as a bookkeeper for 10 years and later at Iowa Southern Utilities for 16 years. On April 8, 1949, Darlene was united in marriage to Jack Martin at the First Baptist Church in Newton, Iowa. In 1995, Darlene and Jack moved to Kalona to be part of the Shiloh Church, where she volunteered in the Accounting Department for 20 years. Darlene was always loving and supportive to her family, friends, and anyone in need. She lived her Christian values. Darlene passed away peacefully on Jan. 21, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City with her daughters by her bedside due to bilateral pneumonia.

Preceding Darlene in death were her parents and infant son, Stephen. Surviving her are husband, Jack; daughters, Denise (Doug) Wood of Ames and DeAnne Hellyer of Lexington, Ky.; grandchildren, Bradley (Kristine) Braymen of Brighton, Nathan (Jocy) Braymen of Ankeny, Brooke (Dennis) Bowsher of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Ryan Hellyer of Indianapolis, Ind.; and six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Nurse Elvesta Hochstetler at Pleasantview Home in Kalona and the doctors, nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital, especially Dr. Izakovic and Nurse Angie for their compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Darlene and her family. Messages and tributes may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com