Martha Stephenson

Martha Doris Stephenson, 94, of Atlantic, Iowa, and formerly of Anita, Iowa, passed away Monday, February 1, 2021, at the Allen Place in Atlantic.

Martha was born January 1, 1927, in Atlantic, IA. She was born to William F. and Daisy (Jenkins) Crawford. Martha attended Anita High School. After high school, she furthered her education at ISU for a year. Due to illness she moved back home and became a nurse’s aide for 15 years at Crestwood Hills Nursing Home, and then went on to become a med aide for an additional 18 years.

On March 16, 1947, she was united in marriage with Max Lawrence Stephenson at the Anita Congregational Church. They started their life together on a rented farm north of Adair for about a year. They then moved to southeast Anita to the Stephenson family farm. Out of this union two children were born, Norma L. (Stephenson) Okada on October 10, 1951, and Lynn D. Stephenson on July 21, 1953.

Martha had a huge heart; she never judged a person. She loved to bake and cook for her family, and being on the farm. Martha was very involved within the Anita Congregational Church, from teaching Sunday school to being in the choir. She also was involved with Senior Citizens and Eastern Stars for 50 plus years. She enjoyed her trips to Branson, MO, and being with her square-dancing group. She loved her puzzles, flowering, gardening along with snowmobiling with Max, and heading south to Yuma, AZ, as a snowbird.

Martha is survived by her daughter, Norma (Mitch) Okada of Wheaton, IL; son, Lynn (Becky) Stephenson of Anita; grandchildren, Chris Stephenson and his fiancé Lisa McAfee, Corey (Tammy) Stephenson, Andrea Goins, Kelby (Nao) Okada; great-grandchildren, Kelsey (Devan) Amdor, Kourtnie Stephenson, Shelby Stephenson, Addison Goins, Seth Stephenson, and Tyler (Grace) McAfee; great-great-grandchildren, Cooper, Brinley, and Coy Amdor; sister’s-n-law, Ceil Crawford, Marilyn Stephenson, and Betty (Griffith) Lint, along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Martha is her husband of 63 years Max; her parents, William & Daisy Crawford; siblings, Betsey (Crawford) Ruggles, Robert Crawford, and William F. (Billie) Crawford Jr.

Visitation with family will be from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. with a funeral starting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021, at the Anita Congregational United Church of Christ, with a committal to follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, IA. Luncheon to follow back at the church.

Memorials will be directed to the Anita Congregational United Church of Christ along with Dementia Research.

Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.