MARTIN, Valentina K. 1925-2013

MARTIN, KUCHYNKA, VOJTECH

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 4/19/2013 at 23:52:40

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, March 31, 2013]

WATERLOO — Valentina K. Martin, 88, of Waterloo, died at home Thursday, March 28, 2013, under the care of SureCare Services Inc. and Cedar Valley Hospice.

She was born Feb. 11, 1925, on a farm southwest of Traer, daughter of Jerry Kuchynka and Albina Vojtech Kuchynka. She married Merle R. Martin on Dec. 15, 1941. He died Nov. 23, 2005.

She graduated from Traer High School. During World War II, Mrs. Martin had a number of different jobs as she traveled with her husband to various Army camps across the U.S. After the war she worked as a sales clerk at Black’s Department Store and then for Mid Continent Oil Co. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English in 1982, and a master’s degree in 1989 from the University of Northern Iowa. In 1953, she received her real estate license and joined Burroughs & Dean Realtors. Later she and her husband opened Martin Realtors Inc. She also opened a book store and published her first book, “Progress Toward Professionalism: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Board of Realtors,” in 2005. Her most recent book, “Dear Valentina: A Love Story 1941-2005,” was released in 2012.

She was a member of St. Edward’s Church. Mrs. Martin was president of Altrusa in 1960, president of the League of Women Voters from 1996-1998; president of Waterloo Woman’s Club from 2007-2008; Waterloo Chairman of Senior Luncheons from 2008-2011. She also served as chair of the Waterloo Planning and Zoning Commission, and was the president of the American Association of University Women. She received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award by the American Association of University Women as well as the Rachel Fulton Award for Public Service by the Black Hawk-Bremer League of Women Voters.

Survived by a son, Jerald L. (Jo) Martin; a sister, Valeria (Larry) Martin; and nieces and nephews, Michael McGilligan, Colleen Olson, Greg Martin, Maurita Martin and Stuart Martin.

Preceded in death by a sister, Betty.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Edward Catholic Church with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories with a 6:45 p.m. rosary. Visitation also an hour before services Tuesday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to St. Edward Catholic Church or Cedar Valley Hospice.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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