Graves, Martha G. (Steinmetz) 1910 - 2004

GRAVES, STEINMETZ, ROEMER, YOUNG

Posted By: Cindy Maust Smith (email)
Date: 11/5/2020 at 20:01:50

The Hartley Sentinel, Thursday, October 28, 2004, Hartley, Iowa, Page 4

A service in celebration of the life of Martha Graves was conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin, Iowa, Pastor Jane Johnston officiated.

Casket bearers were Daniel Graves, Matthew Graves, Tom Graves II, Scott Steinmetz, Gill Gadzikowski and Kevin Groen. Interment was in Baker Township Cemetery at Melvin. Sanborn and Hartley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Martha (Steinmetz) Graves, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Roemer) Steinmetz, was born in a farmhouse southwest of Melvin, Iowa on September 12, 1910. Martha lived her youth and received her education at country school in rural Melvin, as well as Melvin High School. She loved all of the music classes, and also played basketball. During her youth Martha began singing at many of her friends' weddings. She attended Northern Iowa Teachers College and taught school for two years.

Martha was united in marriage to Kenneth Graves on July 27, 1932, and to this union two sons were born: Terry (deceased) and Tom. In her early married years she was very involved in Kenneth's business, sometimes cooking for bridge construction crews. Her husband and sons were owners of Graves Construction Company. Martha lived in the Melvin area her entire lifetime. She enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Germany and other countries with her husband and many friends. Martha died at the Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn on October 16, 2004, at the age of 94 years, one month and four days.

Martha is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Dani Graves of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a daughter-in-law, Gretchen Graves of Sioux Falls; three grandsons: Daniel Graves and his wife, Treva of Sioux Falls, Matthew Graves and his wife, Erica of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Tom Graves II of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and two step-grandsons: Justin Young of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Jason and and Lisa Young and their children, Allison and Jamie of Sioux Falls; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 70 years; an infant daughter, Nellie Anne Graves; a son, Terrance William Graves; four brothers: William, Kurt, Charlie and Otto (Bud).

Martha was a member of the American Lutheran Church. She was very active in church and visited church members and friends at Prairie View faithfully. She always enjoyed being involved in volunteer work at church and helping out with church activities at Prairie View.

Martha enjoyed Bible studies, sewing, bridge club, helping other people, visiting the sick and shut-ins as well as residents of area nursing homes. She considered raising her family her greatest achievement, and she was very proud of the Graves family.