Martha Stuter

Martha Lee Stuter, a beloved member of the community of Dubuque, peacefully passed away on October 1st, at the age of 71. Martha was a family-focused woman who valued kindness, compassion and love. She made you feel at home with a quick and easy smile. Before you know it, you've spilled your life story to her, where she would listen without judgement and offer a refreshment.
A celebration of Martha's life will be held on Saturday October 5th at 4 pm, preceded by an open visitation at 2 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road, Dubuque. Friends and family are invited to gather and share in the memories of a life well-lived, but deconstructed by the devastating effects of several types of cancer and treatment side effects.
Born in the state of New York and raised by a traveling minister, Martha grew up in a large, close-knit family, moving from church to church within the Midwest. She went to school at the University of Dubuque, where she met Rick Stuter, and thus began her lifelong love with her partner and husband of over 47 years. Martha was also a lover of Hallmark movies, glass bottles of Coca Cola, and sudoku puzzles. Though it took many, many years, she finally joined her husband in rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers as well.
For over three decades, Martha dedicated her social work career to those in the mental health communities. She worked at ARC, for the State of Iowa, and the Visiting Nurses Association throughout her career by caring and advocating for the best interest of people with developmental disabilities.
Martha leaves us knowing that she shared herself with her family and friends. She deeply loved her children, grandson, siblings, extended family, and depended greatly on her dedicated, supportive husband Rick. She was in her element holding a baby, talking with a sister or a best friend, or even bringing some of her unique kindness to a stranger who would become a friend in that moment.
Martha is survived by her loving husband, Rick Stuter, with whom she shared a beautiful journey with. Together, they built a life filled with love and simple joys, and road trips because she hated flying. They raised their three children in Dubuque: Summer Cranston (Tom), Samantha Perez (Alex), and Cody Stuter, and is survived by them, as well as by her darling grandson Edward. She is also survived by her mother, the Rev. Lucille King; siblings Chris (Judy), Rebecca (Nigel), Debi (Duane), Crosby, Susan (Art), and Matt. Martha was preceded in death by her father, the Rev. Francis King; her sister, Judy Pawlak, brother-in-law Mitch Wilcox, sister-in-law Gayle Hafner. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, and a network of loving and caring friends from college to work friends to close relationships with people from the hospital.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at the Mercy Hospital and the Finley Pain Clinic for the compassionate care and comfort they provided to Martha over the past 14 years.