Kathleen "Kathy" Martin

Kathy was born June 4, 1942, in Miami, Florida. Growing up, she enjoyed trips to the beach, eating way too many mangos, and playing outside with her sister Norma. Kathy graduated from Miami Edison High School in 1961. Following graduation, Kathy worked at Southern Bell Phone Company as a long-distance telephone operator. While working at the phone company, Kathy met her lifelong friend, Allie. One highlight of her job was when a phone call came through for Elvis Presley. When Elvis got on the call, all the girls in the office squealed with excitement and then quickly disconnected so as to not get into trouble! Another story Kathy loved to tell was winning a limbo contest while on a day cruise in the Bahamas.
Kathy met George in 1969 on a blind date. George was in Miami while on leave from the Army. George had been told by his friend who set them up that Kathy's father was "in the dough." George saw dollar signs and thought he'd scored the jackpot. What "in the dough" actually meant was that Kathy's father was a baker. Since Kathy worked for the phone company, thrifty George took full advantage of the fact that he could call her anytime for free. Kathy and George had a whirl wind courtship before George proposed. Kathy and George were married August 15, 1970.
After their wedding, for their honeymoon they moved to Thompson, Iowa for George's teaching position. While in Thompson, Kathy and George were blessed with Nicole in 1972 and Tricia in 1975. In 1977, the family moved to Indianola where their family became complete with the addition of Erin in 1980. Kathy became actively involved with First United Methodist Church and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Kathy briefly had her own business, Kathy's Kitchen, where she would prepare meals for busy families. Kathy was a house cook at Pi Beta Phi Sorority House at Simpson College for nearly 20 years.
When George became ill, Kathy was grateful to have the time in retirement to be a full-time caregiver. While it was a difficult time, it strengthened their already close bond. Kathy and George became grandparents to Max and Carter in 2005, followed by Maya in 2009 and Finnegan in 2012. Kathy fully embraced being a Grammy and found such joy in all of her grandkids' activities. She could often be found along the fence line at the baseball field or in a school auditorium for a choir or band concert. Kathy enjoyed going to A&W with Max and Carter, Sonic with Maya and Finn and having the kids at the house for sleepovers.
Kathy had the opportunity to travel to Scotland twice. Kathy loved to be near the ocean. Some of Kathy's favorite things were reading, word searches, and driving the backroads of Iowa with Tricia in search of the best cheeseburger. The entire family loved the Christmas Eve traditions at Grammy's. Memories that will always be cherished.
Kathy unexpectedly and peacefully passed away following a stroke on Thursday, March 13. It is a comfort to know that she has been reunited with George.
Kathy is survived by her children, Nicole Zahn, Tricia Martin, Erin (Jason) Marcel; grandchildren, Max and Carter Zahn, Maya and Finn Marcel; sister, Norma McNicol; sister-in-law, Carol Wiggins; nephew, David (Shannon) Nassar; nieces, Heather Williams, Joline Carpenter and families. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; parents, Norman and Catherine McNicol; sisters, Bea Barber, Jean Nassar, Joan Wirkus; nephew, Daniel Nassar; mother-in-law, Eleanor Martin; brother-in-law, Jim Wiggins.
Services for Kathleen "Kathy" Martin, 82, who passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Des Moines, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola with cremation following the service. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date.
Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19 at Overton Funeral Home, where family will be present to greet friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Indianola in her memory.