Martha Evelyn Fisher

MARTHA EVELYN FISHER

Ottumwa

Martha Evelyn Fisher, 95, formerly of Monroe and Ottumwa, died at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 16, 2019, at Comfort House Hospice in Pella.

She was born Dec. 28, 1923, in Wapello County, to Nils Edwin and Johanna "Hanna" Nilsdotter Anderson. Martha married William "Bill" Fisher on Feb. 3, 1946, and he preceded her in death on July 10, 2006.

A 1942 graduate of Ottumwa High School, Martha had worked as a switchboard operator for Iowa Southern Utilities, a telephone operator at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. and Ottumwa Mercantile. A greater part of her adult life was being a farm wife and homemaker. She enjoyed quilting, helping her husband on the farm southeast of Ottumwa and spending time with her family.

Martha was a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, south of Blakesburg, where her greatest enjoyment was playing the organ for Bible school and church services.

Surviving are her children, Bill (Janet) Fisher Jr. of Fairfield, Shirley (Roger) Crouse of Freeburg, Ill., and Sandra (Doug) Klein of Monroe; four grandchildren, Erica DeHaan, Doug (Jayne) Fisher, Travis (Amber) Ethen and Julie (Todd) Aeschliman; five step-grandchildren, Robert (Nikkilina) Crouse, Ryan (Moli) Crouse, Kelsey (Austin) Lazella, Nicki (Brian) Shores and Stacey Klein (Mike Whisler); seven great-grandchildren, Brynn VanderBeek, Luci Hopkins, Danica Ethen, Nathan and Laynie Fisher, and Brayden and Landon Aeschliman; and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by siblings, Aron E., Henry E.W., Ernest H., H. Lennard and Arthur E. Anderson and Helga N.E. Suttle.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa with her grandson, Travis Ethen officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.

Visitation will be open after 1 p.m. Friday. The family will be present one hour prior to the service Saturday.

Memorials may be made to Comfort House in Pella or Monroe Fire and Ambulance.