Martha Rhoads-Mcdowell

Martha Rhoads-McDowells family will be hosting a Celebration of Life service on Monday, October 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Woodward United Methodist Church in Woodward with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the service begins. Burial will be in the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry. Memorials will be given to the Connie Rhoads American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship Fund and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Online condolences may be left at www.carrisfuneralhome.com. Martha Salmon Rhoads-McDowell, age 89 of Woodward, passed away at her home in Woodward. She was the last living of 13 children born to George W. and Martha (Atwood) Salmon on January 24, 1933, at home in Perry, IA. Martha Ann, as she was called by her family, was very close to her siblings and their families. The family had a humble childhood filled with so much love. At the age of 11 she accepted the Lord as her Savior and was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Perry. She was active in many high school activities while working at McDonalds Drug Store and FW Woolworths. She graduated from Perry High School in 1951. That same year she married her high school sweetheart, Bill C. Rhoads from Woodward where they raised their four children, Peggy, Patti, Connie, and Billy. She was a very loving, caring, and devoted wife, mother grandma, great grandma, sister, and aunt. The death of daughter Connie in 1974 and husband of almost 25 years, Bill in 1976, was a difficult time for the family. After their death, Martha and her 3 children formed an unbreakable bond. In 1979 she met and married Lloyd McDowell Sr., a widower, while working at the Woodward State Hospital School. They enjoyed 23 years of marriage until his death in 2003. Martha enjoyed family get togethers, traveling, playing cards, cooking, and reading. She especially loved the Salmon family reunions. Preceding her death were her parents, daughter Connie, son Bill, husbands William Rhoads and Lloyd McDowell, son-in-law Dan Williams, 12 siblings including Lena, Estellene, Mary, Opal, Doris, Alice, George, Jr., Katherine, Orville, William, Joann, and Leone, and several nephews and nieces. Survivors include her daughters Peggy Williams and Patti (Bob) Abram, stepson Mark (Becky) McDowell, grandchildren, Barry Williams, Aaron (Jackie) Abram, Alan Abram, Kim (Troy) Eichenberger, Chad Rhoads, and Chelsey (Ryan) Wildman, great grandchildren Chris, Nick, KC, Jenna, Hunter, AJ, Sydney, Brady, Alannah, Caden, and Bella, loving nieces and nephews and their families and daughter-in-law Beth Rhoads. Celebration Of Life Monday, October 10, 2022 11:00 AM Woodward United Methodist Church 108 W 5th St. Woodward, Iowa 50276 Celebration of Life Visitation Monday, October 10, 2022 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Woodward United Methodist Church 108 W 5th St. Woodward, Iowa 50276