Roberta L. Martin

March 5, 1947 - January 30, 2018

Roberta L. Martin, 70, of rural Pella, died Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born March 5, 1947, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Robert Wesley and Josie Bell Halliburton Johnson . She attended school in Fremont and Oskaloosa. On September 2, 1963, she was united in marriage to Harold P. Martin in Oskaloosa; he died December 12, 2009. Early on the two of them worked at the Oskaloosa Nursing Home for a short time. Roberta later worked at the Overall Factory in Pella until it closed. She enjoyed reading, drawing, and trips to the casino to play BINGO. She loved working out in her yard, tending to her garden, and canning with her husband. She enjoyed watching birds at her feeders, especially the humming birds. She had a soft spot in her heart for animals, and especially loved her pets. She delighted in spending time with her family. Her family includes her son and his wife, Eric and Toni Martin of Pella; two granddaughters, Jennifer Van Wyk of Pella and Jodi (John) Hartman of Fleming Island, Florida; seven great grandchildren, Jacob, Drew, Kourtney, Nate, Anastasia, Izaak, and Sebastian; her sister, Donna Frost of Knoxville; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Jackie Martin; and two sisters, Beverly Christner and Lynn Ruskey. Graveside memorial services and burial will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. in the Black Oak Cemetery near Pella with Reverend Steve Stroupe officiating. For those wishing to attend the services, the family will meet at the Black Oak Cemetery by 10:25 Saturday morning. As was Roberta’s wish, her body has been cremated and no visitation is planned. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Federated Fellowship Church in Pella.