Marth VanGessel

1931 - 2021

Martha van Gessel

1931 ~ 2021

Martha van Gessel

October 6, 1931 - December 11, 2021

Our beautiful mother and grandmother, Martha van Gessel, age 90, peacefully left this earth and returned to her Savior and God on December 11, 2021, in Murray, Utah. She passed away just how she wanted to, with no fuss, no drama, still with a sharp mind and able to care for herself. She fell asleep and was called home.

Martha was born on October 6, 1931, to Hendrikus Matheus van Gessel and Sjoeke van der Hoek in Tiel, Netherlands. She enjoyed growing up with many family members in her life. She loved her country and enjoyed skating on canals and biking the beautiful countryside. In January 1953, she married Harry L. Tarr, Jr, and was later sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They had 6 children together. They divorced in 1983.

Martha trained as an Orthopedic Assistant in the Netherlands at the University of Nijmegan. She worked at a surgery clinic several years before her marriage. She immigrated to the USA in 1953 and later became a citizen. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings during her life. She served an LDS mission in Baton Rouge, Louisiana mission.

Martha was a strong, independent person who was never dull, always present and involved, she loved her family dearly and always had sass. She enjoyed reading, camping, swimming and was a great listener.

She is survived by 5 of her children, Miryam (Jim) Fisher of San Luis Obispo, CA, Ruth (Karl) Jamison, of Kelso, WA, Lynnette (Jay) O'Berry of Sedley, VA, David (Audrey) Tarr of Castle Rock, WA, and Roseann (Darren) Stam of St George, UT. Martha has 19 grandchildren, 30 greatgrandchildren and at least one on the way. She is also survived by her Sister Jessie van Gessel Bair of Chula Vista, CA, 3 nephews and 1 niece. She is preceded in death by her son Roy Matthew at age 3 and her beloved poodle Lucky.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 11:00 am at the LDS church in the Relief Society room located at 981 East Revere Circle, Murray, Utah.

Interment will follow at approximately 2:30 pm at the Provo City Cemetery located at 610 East State Street, Provo, Utah. Martha will be buried near her son, Roy Matthew.

The service will be available to be viewed via webcast at www.jenkins-soffe.com

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