Martin-Beuthien, LoRee

LoRee Martin-Beuthien, 77, of Davenport, passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Manor Care Utica Ridge after a brief illness. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the Runge Mortuary Chapel in Davenport. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal.

LoRee was born May 18, 1934, in Manchester, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest and Alta (Bietz) Dempster. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1952 and was united in marriage to Verdon Martin in June 1952 in Manchester. She moved to Maquoketa, where she spent 30 years and was employed for 12 years at J.C. Penney. Verdon preceded her in death in June 1982. She later married Harold Beuthien in 1985. They moved to Davenport, where they spent the rest of their married life.

She was a faithful, lifelong member of the Baptist Church.

Those left to honor her memory are her husband, Harold; son, Russell (Mary) Martin, Ithaca, N.Y.; daughter, Cynthia Martin, Des Moines; granddaughter, Kelly Martin, Ithaca, N.Y.; four brothers, Sam Dempster, Derrell Dempster, Andy Fierstine and Harlan Fierstine; and five nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dean Dempster.

Online condolences may be left at

Published Jan. 8, 2012, in The Gazette