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Martensen, Carol
Carol Martensen, 62, died Thursday, May 23, 2013, at her home surrounded by her family following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello, with interment in the Hopkinton Cemetery. The Rev. Daryl Larson will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.
Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Surviving is her husband, Allen; five children, Scott (Celena) Martensen, Antioch, Ill., Lori (Jason) Darnell, Palo, Jamie (Christopher Shuck) Martensen, Monticello, Mindy (Eric) Riordan, Centennial, Colo. and Keri (Casey) Kula, Monticello; and 10 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Larry Olmstead.
Carol Ann Olmstead was born June 9, 1950, at the John McDonald Hospital, Monticello, Iowa. She was the daughter of Carlton and Maxine Dighton Olmstead. She graduated from the Maquoketa Valley High School with the class of 1968. Carol then went to work at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. Carol Ann Olmstead and Allen Martensen were married on Sept. 5. 1970, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa. The couple lived in Monticello before moving to the Martensen family farm west of Langworthy.
Carol worked at Emerson Electric in Anamosa for a brief time. Most of her working career has been as CNA. Working at the Senior Home in Monticello, the Anamosa Care Center, the Anamosa Hospital and West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids. She was working at Linn Manor in Marion when she became ill. Her residents missed her so much that they brought them to her house, on the Linn Manor bus, to visit Carol while she was recovering after surgery.
Carol lived her life with grace, always focusing on the needs of her family above hers. She loved her husband, her children, grandchildren, the residents of Linn Manor, taking care of her flowers and sugar cookies.
Published in The Gazette May 26, 2013.
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