Knupp, Martha Ellen

Martha Ellen Knupp, 88, of Marion, formerly of Central City, went to be with the Lord after a long struggle with a brain tumor. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Martha was born April 14, 1924, in Culver, Ind., to Raymond C. and Elsie Schrom Davis. At the age of 14, Martha and her family moved to Central City, Iowa, where she graduated from high school. After high school she worked for a short while at both National Oats and Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids.

She was united in marriage to John A. Knupp on Feb. 12, 1944, at Jordan's Grove Baptist Church in rural Central City. Three children were born to this union. Martha and John farmed and made their home west of Waubeek until 2001 when they moved to Marion. John survives his special wife.

In addition to her husband, survivors include her son, John (Leann); daughters, Sharon Henson (Stanley) and Sandra Childers (James); a brother, Raymond Davis; two sisters, Mary Garrett (James deceased) and Jean Goodall (Phil); grandchildren, John Allen Knupp (Kristi), Dorene Hickey (Kevin), Jason Knupp (Debbie), Janice Crow (Steve), Scott Henson, Seth Henson (Christy), Daniel Childers (Andrea), Rebecca Barber (Jonathan) and David Childers (Ashley); as well as 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson-in-law, Jeffrey Holderman (Dorene); as well as four sisters, Ruth Vaverka (Gloyd deceased), Alice Kalke (Edwin deceased), Rosemond Campbell (Ronald) and Sue Behnke (Larry); and three brothers, Carl Davis (Darlene), Paul Davis (Betty) and Charles Davis (Edna).

Martha was a longtime member of Squaw Creek Baptist Church in Marion. She devoted her life to children, both her own and others. She served as a Campfire Girl leader, a teacher's aid, a Sunday school teacher, a Bible Clubleader and a Junior Youth leader as well as creating unforgettable memories for her own children and their friends and later on for all of her grandchildren.

Martha was a warm wonderful lady with a childlike zest for life. Until her health no longer allowed it, she was always thinking of new recipes to try and loved to share the results. She also enjoyed gardening and preserving her produce, sewing, needlework, reading, picnicking, having bonfires, and taking long walks in the beautiful outdoors.

Martha's favorite memories centered on the 20 winters that she and John spent in Zephyrhills, Fla., after John retired from Collins. There they enjoyed many fun activities with family and friends such as picnics in state parks, outings with church friends, taking visiting grandchildren to the beach or to the attractions, having friends in for meals, riding trikes and playing rousing games of dominoes, Scrabble or Five Crowns.

Martha was much loved by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed.

The family expresses our gratitude to the St. Luke's Hospice and the caring employees at Summit Pointe Senior Living.

Online condolences may be left at under Obituaries.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Luke's Hospice.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 8, 2012.