Martha Eleanore ‘Marty’ Reasoner Indianola

Marty Reasoner passed from this world on June 17th at the Westview Care Center, Indianola, Iowa, where she received loving care for the last year and a half.

Martha Eleanore Stark, daughter of John and Esther Stark, was born December 19, 1924, the 11th of 17 children. She was the last living of her siblings. Her parents farmed in south-central Iowa, where the kids would sometimes have their own private rodeos when their parents were away in town.

Marty was a housekeeper for different families as a young girl. She attended country school through the 8th grade, after which she began working at the hospital for Dr. Story in Osceola. She did everything from administering anesthesia to attending in surgery to delivering babies, which she loved. As those who knew her were well aware, she could do anything she put her mind to because, as she would say, “I’m a farmer’s daughter!”

She married Earl Reasoner on April 29, 1944 in Clarke County. They farmed together south of Hopeville. Their only daughter, Patty Lou, was born April 3, 1945.

Because of Earl’s health concerns, they moved to Indianola where he worked for Orr & Son Furniture, and later for the D.O.T., while Marty helped open the new Super Value store as meat-cutter and cashier.

After attending schooling for book keeping and typing, she worked for United Food Market and Roadside Supermarket in Des Moines.

Over the years, she was an Avon representative, worked for Redi-Temp placing temporary workers with local businesses, and as a receptionist for John Long Realty.

The Reasoners were active members of Brown’s Chapel and later Chapel of Faith, where they worked with the youth and shared the gospel with many. Marty helped many women to overcome drug and alcohol addictions and restore their families. Earl and Marty never failed to bring home a person in distress. As Patty says, “I never knew who would be sitting at the dinner table, but I knew they were being helped by my folks.”

Marty served as president of the ladies aide, treasurer, and numerous church committees.

She did many, many wedding receptions and oh-soooo many funeral dinners. Her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest pride and accomplishment. Hers were the “purtiest” and the smartest – and if you had any doubts, you could just ask her!

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, C. Earl Reasoner; eight brothers, Noel (Phyllis), Neil (Goldie), Roland LeRoy (in infancy), Dale (Helen), Edgar (Georgia), Clifford, Donald, Merlyn; and eight sisters, Oneta (Leonard) Redman, Doris (Robert) Redman, Ruth (Leonard) Camp, Ruby Stark, Bessie Mason, Ellen (David) Peterson, Marjorie (Gerald) Akes, JoAnn Brink.

Survivors include her daughter, Patty (Garry) Saddoris of West Des Moines; two grandchildren, Kimberly (Jason) Kohler of Abilene, Kansas and Kirk (Ronda) Saddoris of Norwalk; and six great-grandchildren, Drake (Taryn) Kohler, Kiley Kohler, Luke Kohler, Libby Maye Kohler, Kobey J. Saddoris and Keefer Saddoris. She is also survived by brothers-in-law, Junior Mason and Don Brink; and sisters-in-law, Nina Stark and Lois Stark, as well as her wonderful room-mate at Westview this last 18 months, Nancy, who was a devoted friend and caretaker.

Services were held 10 a.m., Saturday, June 20 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Westview Care Center. Online condolences may be made at www.overtonfunerals.com.