Marta LouAnn Bockholt

Marta "Marty" Bockholt, 81, of rural Fairbank, received her promotion to heaven on Friday, August 30, 2024, at her home surrounded by family. She was born March 10, 1943, in Waterloo, daughter of Ed Sweerin and Edna (Stricker) Sweerin. She was raised by her mom, Edna and stepdad Ben Widner. Marty graduated from Jesup High School in 1961.

She married Larry Bockholt on July 28, 1961, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Fairbank and they were married for 60 years before Larry's death on August 17, 2021. Larry and Marty raised their four children on the family farm. Marty had many flower beds that she cultivated on the farm.

Marty and Larry loved camping and traveling, including three trips to Alaska, and winters spent in Arizona. She preferred traveling by car as she enjoyed the scenery. The hillier and curvier the road, the better. They also loved to play card games with family and friends. Marty was known to change the rules of the game, keeping her friends and family on their toes.

She was a member of Open Bible Church in Waterloo where she volunteered in the nursery and the kitchen serving and coordinating meals.

Marty's faith was most important to her as well as her family, which she loved dearly. Her final cancer diagnosis came a month ago and her last wish was fulfilled with the majority of the family gathering one last time for a campout at the farm.

She is survived by her children: Garry (Melody) Bockholt of Norwalk; Luann (Joel) Grandon of Marion; Linda (Tom) Grandon of Olathe, Kansas; and Mark (Mandy) Bockholt of Fairbank. Her grandchildren: Curtis Grandon, Erica Grandon, Chad (Lauren) Bockholt, Michael Bockholt, Kyle (Kayla) Grandon, Neal (Allison) Grandon, Travis (Cari) Bockholt, Sam Grandon, Addyson Bockholt and Alexis Bockholt. Her great-grandchildren: Maggie, Harrison, Isaac, and Hudson. Six honorary grandchildren; brother Jimmy (Brenda) Widner of Jesup; and sister Marlene Smith of Parkersburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, and five siblings.

A visitation will be held from 5-7:00 PM on September 5, 2024, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave. The funeral service will be Friday September 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Open Bible Church, 928 Jefferson St. Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated to local charities.