Martha White

Martha White, 89, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, January 2, 2023. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, she resided in Urbandale since 2019.

Martha is survived by her daughters, Connie (Dale) Colgrove of Haymarket, Virginia and Marsha (Jim) Brooks of Urbandale, Iowa; sons, David (Karen) White and Timothy White both of Urbandale, Iowa; grandchildren, Daniel Brooks of Urbandale, Iowa, Olivia Arango of Washington, D.C., Jonathan Brooks of Urbandale, Iowa, Seth White of Urbandale, Iowa, Nicole Colgrove of Reston, Virginia, Zachary White of Urbandale, Iowa, Michael Brooks of Urbandale, Iowa and Julia Roopnarine of Bristow, Virginia; sisters, Hannah, Maria, and Lydia; and brothers, Jonathan and Peter. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, and her brother, Paul.

Martha, at an early age gave her heart to the Lord and received the Holy Spirit while living in Amsterdam. Living through World War II in German-occupied Holland, and throughout her life, Martha experienced God’s mercy and lovingkindness in miraculous ways on multiple occasions.

Martha was a dedicated member of Gospel Assembly Church and started several successful tailoring businesses. As an accomplished tailor, Martha expressed her creativity in making draperies for several churches and apartments on the church grounds, as well as sewing for pastor’s wives and church members. She also made uniforms for the church school. Using the many talents God bestowed upon her, she sang in the church choir, served as an usherette, and worked in the kitchen during international church meetings. Her countless hours working to support churches across the country and help its members testified of her love and dedication to the Lord and His people.

Martha was friendly, dependable, hard-working and a strength to those needing encouragement. She had a willing heart to help God’s people in their times of need. She was a faithful, loving wife to Edwin, her husband of almost 59 years. His eyes lit up every time she walked into a room.

Martha loved God’s Word, especially the truth concerning the resurrection and kingdom of God. Throughout the hardships of life, God and His Word were her source of comfort. When her mind began to fail, she would ask Edwin constantly to talk about the hope they had of Christ’s return, and to write it down so she would not forget. This hope burned in her heart, and she did not want her sickness to steal it from her.

Though she had been in a nursing home the last few years, she did not forget God and God will never forget what she did for Him.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 7th, at 11:00 am at Gospel Assembly Church, 7135 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, Iowa with Dale Colgrove, Jim Brooks, and David White officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The graveside service will be conducted at 9:00 am on Monday at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gospel Assembly Church, 7135 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, IA 50322 or Bradenton Gospel Tabernacle, 1218 7th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208.