Utsinger, Martha (Strickland) – 1934-2010

BROWN, COUSINS, DAUGHTREY, DREW, FEENSTRA, FIKE, GRASMAN, HARMER, MARES, NORTON, STRICKLAND, TAFT, UTSINGER, VANATER

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 2/5/2010 at 11:51:41

Martha (Strickland) Utsinger, 75, of Marshalltown, formerly of Newton, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at Newton Health Care.
A celebration of life service is planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. The family will greet friends following the service. Online condolences may be left www.mitchellfh.com.
Source: Newton Daily News; Friday, January 29, 2010

Additional information from the Mitchell Family Funeral Home website:
She will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery at St. Clair, Michigan, at a later date. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Martha and her family, phone 641-844-1234.
Martha Ann Brown was born on June 30th, 1934 at Marysville, Michigan to parents John and Stella (Fike) Brown. Stella passed away during childbirth and Martha was adopted by David and Katie (Feenstra) Grasman. Martha lived in many places during her childhood due to her adopted father’s work. She eventually settled in the Marshalltown and Newton areas. On August 22nd, 1952, Martha was united in marriage to Rex Strickland in Des Moines. They later divorced.
Martha was employed as a bookkeeper at various businesses throughout her working life. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Martha was talented at any kind of needle-work, including knitting and crocheting. She was a master puzzle builder, enjoyed bingo, and time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Martha will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her, including her son Jack (Diana) Strickland, daughters Linda (Steve Drew) Daughtrey and Debbie Vanater, all of Marshalltown; her grandchildren: Jennifer (Doug) Taft, Christopher (Tina) Strickland, Shauna Mares, Jordan Strickland, Victor Daughtrey, and Brody Norton; 14 great-grandchildren; her sisters Nancy Cousins of Derby, New York, and Margie Harmer of Yale, Michigan; as well as many friends.
In death, Martha has rejoined her parents and several brothers and sisters.