Martens, Arleene Anna Lamp

Arleene Anna Lamp Martens, 98, of Tipton, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at the Mechanicsville Care Center. Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 6, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton Interment will be at Masonic Cemetery, Tipton. Gravesite rites only will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, with a luncheon following at the Masonic Club Room in Tipton.

She was born on a farm west of Tipton on Aug. 29, 1913, to Charles W. and Anna (Thordsen) Lamp. She attended Mount Zion Country School for primary and half of first grade, then continued at the Tipton School through high school, graduating in 1931. She married Norwin Vero Martens on Jan. 25, 1933. Two children were born, Larry Allen and Ann Norlene.

Until 1973, she and her family farmed on Bluebell Farm, raised registered Angus cattle, and Tamworth and Poland China hogs, showing at numerous fairs and shows. She wrote the Mount Zion weekly news column for the Tipton Conservative for 13 years, wrote poetry and music, and was secretary for the Cedar County Angus Association and Beefland Ladies Auxiliary, and for several bowling leagues.

She was also a trained tailor and was a Sarah Coventry representative for several years. In later years she sang with several bands for several local senior citizen clubs. She also took pride at becoming quite prolific at her computer for several years and enjoyed emailing with friends and family.

She lived on a farm south of Buchanan from 1973 to 1993, and then moved into Tipton. She lived at Prairie Hills for the past five years.

She is survived by son, Larry of Tipton; daughter, Ann and husband Harry of Clear Lake; three grandchildren, Tobiason Dauber, Englewood, Colo., Lorna Martens Morgan and husband Randy of Tiffin and Tami Dauber Nomack and husband Michael of Prospect, Conn.; and three great-grandchildren, David and Daniel Nomack of Prospect, Conn., and Maclane Morgan, Tiffin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Carrie Lamp.

Memorials may be made to hospice or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at

Published in The Gazette Feb. 4, 2012