Martha M. "Marty" Beckman

1921 - 2021

MARTHA M. "MARTY" BECKMAN Kalona Martha M. "Marty" Beckman, 99, of Kalona, died Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following a sudden illness. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may be given to the Kalona United Methodist Church, Kalona Library or the Kalona Historical Society. Donations may be sent to the Peterseim Funeral Home at P.O. Box 81, Kalona, IA 52247. Martha Mae (Chappell) Beckman was born Dec. 10, 1921, in Rockford, Ill., the daughter of Guy J. and Glenora (Cook) Chappell. The family moved to Iowa City in 1925 and she graduated from City High in 1940. She attained a business degree from the University of Iowa in 1944. On Sept. 9, 1944, she was united in marriage to Charles Wagner Beckman in Iowa City. The couple moved to Kalona in 1947. Marty was a member of the UI Alumni Association, the UI President's Club, Alpha Phi Alumni, Pilgrim Chapter D.A.R., IDRIS Club of Kalona, Kalona Historical Society, Kalona Library Foundation Board and Jessamine Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Girl Scout leader for seven years and a Cub Scout den mother for two years. Marty co-owned Kalona Kountry Kreations and was a tour guide for the Kalona Historical Society. Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Beckman-Beard (Michael) of Needham, Mass., Virginia Haynes of Castle Rock, Colo., and Cherie Beckman (Judy Lewis) of Seattle, Wash.; son, Charles C. (Laurie) Beckman of Gilbert, Ariz,, seven grandchildren, Emily Beard, Charles M. Beard, Steven (Andrea) Haynes, Kevin Haynes, Tracy Haynes, Jesse Beckman and Corinne Beckman; and six great-grandchildren, Genesis, Emma and Evan Haynes, Abigail Butcher, Alice and Harlan Belle Beckman. Preceding Marty in death were her parents; her sister, Glenora Hughes; and her husband, Dr. Charles W. Beckman.