Edith M. Martinson, age 90, died Monday, December 21, 2009 at Rose Haven Nursing Home, Marengo following an extended illness.  Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 28, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo with Rev. Doug Morton officiating. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery. Visitation: 4-7 P.M. Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo.  A memorial fund has been established.

She is survived by her husband Merlyn; four daughters: Roberta Kleppe (Jim) of Cedar Rapids, Mary Blomme (Virgil) of Belle Plaine, Nancy Martinson (Milford) of Williamsburg, and Janice Gorsch of Cedar Rapids; two sons: Robert Gorsch (Sharon) of Victor and James Gorsch (Lori Sykes) of Marengo; four stepchildren: Cheryl Kirkpatrick (Ron) of Cedar Rapids, Gary Martinson (Sheryl) of Marion, Lois Hinrichs (Oswald) of Amana and   Barbara Thomas (Dale) of Marion; 11 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Loren Hughes of California and a sister, Marlene Gritsch (Gene) of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, four brothers, two great granddaughters, and a step-granddaughter.

Edith Myrtle Hughes was born August 11, 1919 in Poweshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Eugene and Golda Decker Hughes.  She received her education in the Hartwick schools and graduated from Hartwick High School in 1937.  Edith married Lloyd R. “Bud” Gorsch on November 25, 1939 in Belle Plaine.  The couple later divorced.  Edith married Merlyn John Martinson on August 12, 1972 in Marengo.  She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marengo.  During her lifetime, Edith was employed by the Amana Bakery, worked as an aide at the nursing home, clerked at Brown’s Hardware, and waitressed at various restaurants.  She enjoyed playing dominos, cross-stitching, crocheting, embroidery, and assembling jigsaw puzzles.  She also loved being outside.