Nowlan, Martha 'Marty' A.

Martha “Marty” A. Nowlan, 76, of 3913 Water Point Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center following a long battle with Parkinsonism. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Burial: 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery, State Center. A Vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit with the family from 3 to 7 p.m. and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church.

Martha was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on Dec. 8, 1936, the youngest of three children to Frank and Julia Lyons of St. Anthony. She grew up on the family farm, now a Century Farm, which she proudly owned with her siblings.

She graduated from Clemons High School, went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Clarke College in Dubuque and her master's degree from the University of Iowa in 1970.

Martha married George Nowlan at Sacred Heart Church in St. Anthony, on Dec. 26 1959, and made their lifelong home in Cedar Rapids. It was also here that she dedicated herself to a 40-year teaching career with the Cedar Rapids Public Schools, enjoying students at Cleveland, Harrison and Coolidge Elementary Schools and Taft Junior High/Middle School, before retiring in 2000.

An avid reader and card player, she was a member of book clubs and card-playing groups as well as the teacher's organization Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK). Martha enjoyed traveling as well, spending time with her husband each year in Texas, taking many trips to Las Vegas, Hawaii, even visiting Ireland and Japan with family. Marty was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. Also a sports fan, Martha could be seen on the sidelines at Hawkeye football and basketball games, enjoying the camaraderie with her family and friends. She will doubtless continue to cheer on her beloved Cubs from above.

Martha is survived by her husband, George of Cedar Rapids; her children, Julia (Jack) Carey of Freeport, Ill. and Mary Beth (Naoki) Takao of Tokyo, Japan; and grandchildren, Sean (Ashley) Carey of Cedar Rapids, Tracy Carey of Key West, Fla. and Aisha Takao of Tokyo, Japan; her brother, Alan “Ted” (Joanne) Lyons of Spirit Lake; her sister, Mary (Richard) Bartine of St. Anthony; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be left at .

Published in The Gazette Nov. 13, 2013.