Burtha Alice Martin's Obituary
Bertha Alice Martin, age 98, of Centerville, IA, died Sunday, December 28, 2003, at Long Term Care, Mercy Medical Center in Centerville, IA. She was born the daughter of William Albert and Laura Etta (Lancaster) Ridge on November 26, 1905, near Memphis, MO, in Scotland County, MO. She graduated from Memphis, MO, Schools and took Registered Nurse Training from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.Bertha was united in marriage to Dr. Winfred P. Martin on August 22, 1926 in Unionville, MO. She worked many years as a nurse in the surgery department, on the medical floor and for her last three years in obstetrics at the St. Joseph Hospital in Centerville, IA. She retired in 1964. She loved golfing, Friday night dances at the Appanoose Country Club, dancing and potluck dinners at the Elks Club, card games with neighbors and friends, movies at the Majestic, she loved playing the organ and making ceramics. In 1964, Bertha moved to Texas to be closer to her daughters. She lived there until 1984 when she returned to Centerville. She said she came back to Centerville because she grew tired of the traffic and large population in Dallas and Austin. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Centerville, TTT, and Nurses Alumni Association.Bertha was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband Dr. Winfred Martin, June 1953; daughter, Marilyn Peterson; granddaughter, Marilyn Unholtz; 2 brothers, Ira and John Ridge; 5 sisters, Ida Ridge, Ethel Jones, Bess Norton, Mary Lutz and Mabel Devencenzi.Surviving family members are: daughter, Suzanne and her husband, Merlin Hurst of Hixson, TN; 7 grandchildren (Cindy, Tina, Richard, Scott, Kim, Vicki and Bruce); 17 great grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren.Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 2, 2004 at 10:30 am at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville IA with Pastor Laurie Riley of the First United Methodist Church in Centerville officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery, Centerville, IA.Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Thursday, January 1, 2004 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the family present from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be given to First United Methodist Church or American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to the To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Burtha Alice Martin please visit our Sympathy Store.
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