Martha Amanda Helmuth

Kalona-Martha Amanda Helmuth was born February 21, 1934 to Samuel G. and Elizabeth (Otto) Hochstedler, near Kalona, Iowa.  She was 1 of 14 children, and attended West Lincoln School. In her youth she accepted Jesus as her Savior, and was baptized.

 Martha was united in marriage to Christian J. Helmuth on June 6, 1954 at Fairview Mennonite Church. To this union were born 8 children.

   Chris and Martha spent their early years of marriage serving in 1-W service, in Lancaster, PA.  

In 1961, they returned to Iowa and settled at Chris' childhood home. For many years,  Martha was a homemaker, in addition to helping on their dairy farm. She was also an avid reader, loved to garden and preserve food, and took great pleasure in growing flowers and house plants. She was passionate about Bible prophecies concerning Jesus 2nd coming, and was a prayer warrior.

 Martha enjoyed being a foster parent, and babies were her specialty and delight. Though she pursued various passions, her family was her greatest joy.

    After her husband Chris passed in 1992, Martha took up house-cleaning in Iowa City. At the age of 63, she got her GED and became a CNA at Halcyon House in Washington. She also did midwifery locally.

   Martha left this life and went to be with Jesus on Monday, December 26, 2022 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, in Iowa City, surrounded by family. She was 88 years and 10 months.

   Martha is survived by 6 children: Twila (Julius) Troyer of Farmville, VA,

Judy (Willie) Halteman of Mocksville, NC, Waneta Dawn of Iowa, Jewel (Larry) Zook of Kalona, Jean (Alan) Zook of West Chester, Carol Helmuth of Kalona, daughter-in-law, Sharon Helmuth of Wagener, SC, and foster son Mark Eades of Solon; 40 grandchildren; 58 great grandchildren; 5 siblings, Jonas (Ann) Hochstedler of Kalona, Monroe (Ruby) Hochstedler of Tallahassee, Florida, Darlene (John) Miller of Hutchinson, Kansas, Nelson (Lavina) Hochstedler of Winona Lake, Indiana, and Viola Hochstedler of Kalona.

   She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Chris, an infant daughter Gloria Helmuth, a son Dale Helmuth, an infant granddaughter, 2 sons-in-law Ivan Hostetler and Glen Yoder; siblings Ruth Hochstedler, Cora Hochstedler, Alta Fern Kropf, Lydia Hochstedler, J. Wesley Hochstedler, Verna Hochstedler, Lovina Hochstedler, and Mary Hochstedler.

 

   Funeral services will be 10:00 am on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at Fairview Mennonite Church near Kalona. Burial will be at the Fairview cemetery. 

Visitation will be Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Fairview Church.

A memorial fund has been established for Christian Aid Ministries. Yoder-Powell funeral home in Kalona is caring for services. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

 

The family would like to thank mom's church, Sunnyside Mennonite, for their love and care for mom over the years,  and for making her feel remembered and loved throughout her sickness. Also a big thank-you for all the neighbors, relatives, and friends who supported mom and the family through prayer, meals, and other kindnesses. We are deeply grateful!