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NATION, Martha Elizabeth (Loonan) 1913-2017

NATION, LOONAN, BEDFORD

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/12/2018 at 12:36:22

Services:
Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, Cedar Falls.

Visitation:
Friday, October 13, 2017 at the Locke Funeral Home, Waterloo

Cemetery:
Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls.

Memorials:
Memorials are directed to the First United Methodist Church, Cedar Falls or to the Western Home Foundation

Biography--

Martha Elizabeth Nation, age 104, of Cedar Falls, died at the Nation Cottage of the Western Home Communities on Sunday, October 8, 2017 of natural causes. She was born on September 29, 1913 in Hudson, Iowa; a member of what we now call the “Great Generation.” She was the first of six children born to the union of Lloyd J. and Elizabeth Bedford Loonan.

She graduated from Hudson High School in 1931. Following high school, she took a six-month teaching course and taught one year at Eagle #3. She then returned to UNI and graduated with a BA in Education in 1936. After graduating from UNI, she taught country school in Mt. Auburn to kids ranging from 5 to 16.

She married Harold S. Nation on June 10, 1938 in Hudson. She stopped teaching after she was married, as married women were not allowed to teach at that time. She assisted Harold on their farm south of Hudson for many years. They farmed 300 acres of corn and soybeans, they raised cattle, hogs, and chickens, Martha also sold fresh eggs.

When her children were young, she was a Sunday school teacher, Tuesday Study Club member, and 4-H leader. She helped organize Hudson’s Centennial celebration, and was active with Hudson Community Church and Hudson Consolidated Schools. She went back to teaching in 1959, and taught 6th grade in Hudson until she retired in 1975.

Martha was a member of First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls. She was previously an active member at Trinity United Methodist, until its closing. She was a member of Western Home Friends, the Western Home Board of Directors, UMW Joy Club, RSVP, and former secretary of the Cedar Falls Women’s Club.

Martha cherished the memories of traveling with her family; she went on several cruises with her daughter Cathy and her husband, Clyde. Martha also accompanied her son Dave and his wife Becky, on many vacations. She was an avid reader and was proud that she was able to stay connected to her family with her computer and web cam.

Martha had a way of encouraging aspirations and helping people achieve them. She was strong, confident, and smart but at the same time humble and self-effacing. She had a wonderful, low-key sense of humor often directed at her own foibles. She was purposeful, decisive, curious, and active to the extent of her abilities until her death. Martha was a source of strength and inspiration – a true exemplar of the “Great Generation” and how to live life to the fullest.

She is survived by a son, David (Rebecca) Nation of Hanover, MD and a daughter, Cathlene (Clyde) Williams of Falls Church, VA; two grandchildren, Laura (Jason) DePasquale, and Justin (Tammy) Nation; Four great-grandchildren, Olivia DePasquale, Sophia DePasquale, Alianna Nation and Cadence Nation; a brother, Lloyd Loonan of Hudson; two special nieces, Carol (Jeffrey) Dick and Elaine Matthews; and her wonderful caregiver, Theresa Miller.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Harold on August 25, 1983; two children in infancy, JoAnn and Robert; two brothers, James and Dan Loonan; and two sisters, Ruth Thompson and Jean Grinnell.

SOURCE: Locke Funeral Home website


 

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