McMARTIN, Muriel E. 1916-2006

MCMARTIN, HAREN, ARENDS, EHLERS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/12/2015 at 06:34:25

Muriel E. "Bunny" McMartin, 89, of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Saturday, March 11, 2006, at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital-Long Term Care Unit. Following cremation, memorial services will be 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Grundy Center, Iowa, with Pastor Lee Webb officiating. Burial will follow at the Reinbeck Cemetery in Reinbeck, Iowa. Muriel's family will be receiving friends on Monday evening from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.; with the family present from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center. A memorial fund has been established.

Muriel was born May 16, 1916, in Palermo Township, Grundy County, Iowa, the daughter of Claus and Reka (Arends) Haren. She attended rural schools in Grundy County and graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1932. She then attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, and the Cedar Rapids Business College. On October 1, 1938, Muriel was united in marriage to Lyman "Hap" Ehlers, who passed away in November 1939. To this marriage one son, George H. Ehlers was born July 17, 1939. For fourteen years she taught in the rural schools of Grundy County. In February 1950, Muriel was united in marriage to Frank McMartin. To this union one son, Edwin McMartin was born March 5, 1954. In 1957, they moved to Minnesota where Muriel became a representative for Warner's Brothers Garment Company in the Twin City and Rochester areas for eight years. While living in Minnesota she was a Den Mother for the New Hope Cub Scouts. Muriel spent forty-five years of her life on farms in Grundy, Tama, and Hardin Counties. Muriel's husband Frank passed away in 1994. Muriel was a member of the Grundy Center United Methodist Church, and was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #349. Muriel loved to dance, like to bowl, read, and play cards.

She is survived by her two sons George Ehlers and his wife Carolyn of Reinbeck, Iowa; Edwin McMartin and his wife Paula of Iowa City, Iowa; seven grandchildren Pamela Billerbeck and her husband Tim of Urbandale, IA; Theresa Sloan and her husband George of Linden, IA; David Ehlers and his wife Valerie of Reinbeck, IA; Joan Johnson and her husband Tim of Reinbeck, IA; Cristine Miller and her husband Chris of Laredo, TX; Jacob McMartin and Amanda of Iowa City, IA; and Lindsey McMartin of Iowa City, IA; six great-grandchildren Bryce Ehlers; Lily Ehlers; Emma, Joey, & Eleanor Billberbeck; and Layla Clare McMartin; one sister Dorothy Meyer of Enid, OK; one brother Carroll Haren and his wife Darleen of Grundy Center, IA; three sisters-in-law Henrietta Haren Anacortes, WA; Betty Steffen of Reinbeck, IA; Irene Toben of Reinbeck, IA; and one brother-in-law Duncan McMartin of Conrad, IA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; two brothers Melvin and Erwin "Buddy" Haren; six brothers-in-law John H. Meyer, John Ehlers, Merle Cavanaugh, Henry Toben, Lyle Steffen, and James Patton; and five sisters-in-law Dorothy McMartin, Shirley Haren, Evelyn Ehlers, Edna Patton, and Grace Cavanaugh.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)