Dorothy L. Martin

MASON CITY- Dorothy L. Martin, 89, of Mason City, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 19, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Willowbrook Drive, with Rev. Paul Collier officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to the Mason City Public Library or the First Presbyterian Church.

Dorothy was born in Northwood, Iowa, on September 5, 1920, the oldest of three children. She graduated from Northwood High School in 1938 and went on to complete her studies at Hamilton Business College in Mason City. She met her future husband Jack at Standard Oil. Married in 1942, they were together for 65 years.
Dorothy was a lifelong resident of North Iowa. She and Jack owned and operated Willow Inn Campground in Ventura from 1967-1992. Until recently, they split their time between Mason City and Mesa, AZ. Dorothy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she volunteered as a youth fellowship leader, and was active in the Church Circle. She volunteered for the Hospital Auxiliary and the Community Kitchen. An avid golfer, Dorothy was a member of the Mason City Country Club for many years. Ballroom dancing with Jack was also a favorite activity. Her many interests included bridge, gardening, fishing, sewing, ceramics, knitting and needlepoint. Instilled with a love of books by her mother, a librarian, Dorothy was a voracious reader. She
sharpened her wit and mind daily with crossword puzzles and loved playing cards and board games with her children and grandchildren. Above all, Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be remembered best for her kind, caring and selfless nature.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents, C.A. (Jack) and Martha Sharp, sisters, Jo Ann Hengesteg and Bonnie Nelson. She is survived by sons Jack, Jr. (Avie) Martin of Tucson, AZ; Steve (Karen) Martin of Excelsior, MN; daughter Jana (John) Pitstick of Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren, Blake (Tonia) Martin, Scott (Sarah) Martin, John (Regina) Pitstick, Heather (Charlie) Penland, Jennifer (Michael) Widdifield,
Brenda (Vince) Runci, Lindsey (J.R.) Dehring, 13 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.