Dorothy Louise (Sweeney) MARTIN

MARTIN, SWEENEY, SMITH, CLARKE, VANGORDEN, THOMAS, CARROLL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/27/2007 at 02:55:05

November 26, 2002

Dorothy (Sweeney) Martin, 93, of Belmond, died on Saturday, November 23, 2002, at the Belmond Community Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, November 26, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Belmond, with Father David Beckman officiating. Burial was in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. There was a parish vigil service led by Deacon Nick Schmit on Monday and the rosary service was led by Marion Martin and Regina Lamoureux.

Dorothy Louise Sweeney, was born to Mildred (Smith) and Earl W. Sweeney on July 24, 1909 at Altoona, the eldest of eight children. She grew up on a farm, graduated from the East High School in Des Moines and received her B.S. Degree in 1931 from Iowa State University in Ames. She taught home economics at State Center High School for three years. Dorothy was united in marriage to Albert E. Martin, the son of Earl and Marion Martin of Belmond, on February 10, 1934. They lived in Marshalltown, Des Moines and Ames, Iowa, moving to Indianapolis, Indiana and Savannah, Georgia. During Albert's time of service during WW II, Dorothy returned with her three children to live on the Martin family farm west of Belmond. During the time of the war, Dorothy was committed to the local civil efforts in support of her husband and others abroad. Upon Albert's return from the service, the family moved to Ames where their fourth child was born. They made their home in Ames for more than 40 years, during which time Dorothy was very involved in both the community and on the campus at Iowa State University. She was house manager of her sorority, Alpha Delta Gamma, she was involved in the Easter Seals of Iowa organization, education of the handicapped, nutritional evaluation in conjunction with the University's home economics department and with her children's interests. She enjoyed tailoring and creating many garments and costumes for her children and others. She enjoyed gardening, interior design, and entertaining. Upon Albert's retirement, they enjoyed extensive travel throughout the world. More recently her health problems greatly curtailed her activity.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, James Earl Martin; one sister; and two brothers. Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Albert of Belmond; daughter-in-law, Sharon Martin of Mazeppa, Minnesota; three daughters, Marion Martin of Belmond, Linda (Wade P., Jr.) Clarke of Moline, Illinois and Jane (Schuyler) Van Gorden of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren, Kurt, Derek, Stacy, and Erin Martin, Schuyler Van Gorden, Heather (Cory) Thomas, Audrey Clarke, Wade Martin (Dana) Clarke; two great-grandchildren, Deven and Gabrieal; three brothers, David (Betty Jo) Sweeney of Mansfield, Texas, Hal (Shirley) Sweeney of Mt. Ayr, Iowa and James (Marilyn) Sweeney of Bolivar, Missouri; one sister, Elizabeth Carroll of El Paso, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

©Belmond Independent 2002