Martha Mara

MARTHA ANNA MARA

Cedar Rapids

Martha Anna Mara, 93, of Amana, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, March 5, 2017, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 9, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, Cedar Rapids. Burial will take place in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Eastman, Wis.

Martha was born June 6, 1923, in Prairie du Chien, Wis., the daughter of Amos and Sophia (Ocenesak) Du Charme. She married Joseph Mara on Aug. 25, 1942, in Prairie du Chien. Martha was a loving mother of 12 children. Besides taking care of her home and family, including a son in a wheelchair, she held a full-time position at Mercy Medical Center. She loved playing cards, bingo, quilting, visits with her family and those occasional trips to the casino. She was very devoted to the rosary and even led it for all the residents at her care center.

Martha is survived by her children, Doris (Neil) Glass, Judy (Larry) Block, Donna (Garreth) Milam, Bob (Mitsue) Mara, Dick (Marie) Mara, Dave (Julie) Mara, Bill (Trish) Mara, Greg (Penny) Mara, Ellen Mara and Tim (Cyndi) Mara; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; her sister, Cecelia Mara; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joseph, (1989); her sons, Gerald, (1950), and Joe, (2016); and her siblings.

Memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous in her name.

Many thanks to all who cared for her at her beloved home Colonial Manor in Amana.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.