Martha Marie Annear

Martha Marie Annear was born December 9, 1946 at Kings Daughters Hospital in Perry and passed away February 26, 2018 at Dallas County Hospital. At the age of 71 years, 2 months, 17 days Funeral service were held at10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 1, 2018, Trinity Lutheran Church, Perry, Iowa. The pastor of the church Rev. Ken Bose provided word of comfort. Honorary casket bearers were Pat Gerke, Pansy Brave, Shirley Hines, Deann Schlicht, Viv Smotherman, Annear Cousins, Sandy McClaran and Family,Judy Bacon and Family, Keith Nath and Family and Staff and Residents of the Perry Lutheran Home, Martha's casket bearers were Bill Annear, Dan Annear, Lily Ruppel, Ronald Annear, Terry Stickeland and David Annear, Rev.Ken Bose sang What A Friend We Have In Jesus the congregational Hymns were How Great Thou Art and Rock of Ages burial was in Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry, Iowa. The ladies of the church had a lunch and fellowship. Martha was the only child of John Hollis and Marjorie Emma Nath Annear. She grew up in Angus, Iowa, and lived there with her parents for 26 years. The family then moved to Perry in 1973. Martha attended Perry schools, graduating in 1966. After school Martha began her career as a CNA/CMA at the Perry Lutheran Home. She was a loyal and dedicated employee and loved being a caregiver. After nearly 36 years of employment, her health would not allow her to continue to work. She resided at the Dallas County Care Facility in Adel for some time and then moved back to Perry as an independent living client of Abilities Unlimited. As her health continued to decline, she made the decision to enter the Lutheran Home where she resided until her passing. As the Lutheran Home is on the property where Kings Daughters Hospital was located, Martha liked to say she had come full circle-born there, worked there and lived there. Martha was a lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry. She was an active participant in many of the activities there. Her faith and love of the Lord helped her face the difficulties in life. She always let the light of God fill her heart and she passed on that faith and happiness to all those around her on a daily basis. Martha was also a very patriotic person. She has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1968 and participated in many meetings, programs and activities when her health allowed it. She loved celebrating patriotic Holidays, particularly Veterans Day. She was very proud of her father's service during WWII and had a deep respect for all veterans. Even though she had no siblings, Martha was thrilled that many of her younger cousins called her Aunt Martha. She was a very family oriented person and always made sure the little ones of the family had a small Christmas gift from her. Many of them have just recently shared that memory. In addition, she loved sending and receiving cards and letters. If an Annear family get together was close to Mother or Father's Day, she arrived with cards for each mom or dad. In her younger years she enjoyed crocheting and made many afghans and throws for family and friends. One of her proudest accomplishments was a full sized afghan of the American flag. It took her several months to complete, and it was beautiful. She presented it to the Dallas County Care Facility on Veterans Day. Probably some of her happiest years were these last that she spent at the Lutheran Home as a resident. She loved playing cards and got a little card club started. She taught several residents to play her favorite game Skip-Bo and was extremely patient in helping them learn and play. She attended Bible study and Sunday services every week. She also loved to contribute in volunteer activities. She assisted in assembling Meals from the Heartland on more than one occasion. Most recently she had been rolling bandages to be sent to missions in poverty stricken areas of Africa. At last count she had rolled over 23,000 bandages. She loved when the home schooled kids and other school children visited the home, especially around the holidays such as Halloween. One of the happiest things was when the children at the Perry Lutheran Home Acorns and Oaks daycare would call her grandma. She beamed with joy when this happened and when she talked about it. Martha enjoyed crocheting, reading, gospel music and singing. She loved the Perry Mason mystery novels and TV show and always was a huge fan of Lawrence Welk. Martha's kind and gentle soul always shined through. One would be hard pressed to recall Martha uttering a cross word. She met each day with a smile and the love of the Lord. She will always be remembered for her smile and giggles. Martha was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bill and Louise Nath and Art and Celesta Annear; her parents, several aunts, uncles and cousins. She will be missed greatly by her remaining Annear and Nath cousins, her roommate Pansy Brave, good friends Pat Gerke, Shirley Hines and Vivian "Trouble" Smotherman as well as many other friends. Memorials will be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Perry Lutheran Home and Acorns and Oaks Daycare. Fly and be free Martha. You have earned every one of those feathers in your lovely angel wings! Keep our seats open at the Skip-Bo table 'till we can get there.