Martha Elizabeth Sterrett 1901-2000

STERRETT OLESEN PAULSEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/4/2012 at 11:27:45

Martha Elizabeth Sterrett, of Anthon dead Friday, Dec. 8, 2000,at the Heartland Care Center in Marcus, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Anthon with the Rev. Kent Kasler officiating. In the event of adverse weather conditions this service time is subject to change. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Anthon. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today with a prayer service at 5 p.m at the Armstrong Fuheral in Anthon.

Mrs. Sterrett was born Dec. 1, 1901 in Battle Creek, Iowa the daughter of Jens and Christina (Olesen) Paulsen. At the age of four she moved with her family to Anthon where she lived her entire life. She graduated from Anthon high School in 1920, serving as valedictorian of the class. She attended and completed Teachers College in Cedar Falls, lowa and then taught in rural school.

She married Walter Sterrett on 14 Feb. 14, 1922 in Sioux City. They lived and farmed in the Anthon comununity. They sold their farm in 1964 and in 1965 moved into a new home in Anthon. He died Dec. 20, 1969. She entered the Heartland Care Center in Marcus in July of 1998.

She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Anthon where she served on the Methodist Women's Society. She was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the "Until We Meet Again" Card Club, and was a longtime 4-H Club member. She enjoyed sewing, making afghans, gardening and growing beautiful house plants.

Surviors include two daughters, Marion Speer of Sioux Center Iowa and Shirley and her husband, John Beach of Rayville, La.: a son, Walter Jr. and his wife, Vera of Marcus: nine grandchildren: 21 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Amy Thrall of San Francisco, and Millie Manning of Wichita, Kan.

She was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Chester Steer: two brothers, Martin and Harry: and two sisters, Alice McDermott and Anna Petersen.