Martha Myrtle Duckwitz

Martha Myrtle Duckwitz, 99, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2021, at Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield with family by her side.

Martha was born October 24, 1921 in Ionia, near Lodge Grass, Montana. Martha attended school there graduating in May 1939. She attended business college in Billings, Montana for one year and started working for Eder Hardware as a bookkeeper and at the AAA government office in Hardin, Montana in 1940. Martha moved to Seattle, Washington in 1942 and worked at the Seattle Port of Embarkation in the civilian payroll department as chief supervisor.

She married Charles Duckwitz on December 3, 1945 and moved to Orchard, Iowa. In 1946 she started working for Bartsch’s Electric Supply as bookkeeper. Daughter Pamela was born in 1948 and the family later moved to Osage in 1952. Martha worked for the Osage Coop Creamery for twelve years and when it closed, she worked for the Stacyville Coop Creamery as a bookkeeper for nearly eighteen years. She retired in 1984.

Martha was a member of the First Baptist Church, the American Baptist Women’s Ministries, Ever Ready and Ann Judson Circles, and church choir. She was treasurer for the church for twenty-five years and held many other offices. Martha was also a long-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.

She loved to read, crochet, knit, quilt, and travel. Since retirement she loved to spend the summers in Montana with her brothers, sisters, many relatives, and friends.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her parents, four brothers, and one sister.

Survivors include one sister, daughter, Pamela Dahle of Hayfield, MN, five grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Jeff (Sheila) Dahle, Danika, Jakob, and Gregory of Austin, MN. Michelle (Erik) Vigeland, Karson and Kolby of Blooming Prairie, MN. Lisa (Matt) Tufte, Connor and Allie of Hayfield, MN. Denise (Ryan) Rismeyer, Hailey, Sarah, Ashley, Kena, and Braden of Stewartville, MN. Brenda (Matt) Follmuth, Bennett, Tenley, and Tyson of Milaca, MN.

Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 2nd Street NW in Hayfield with Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m.  Inurnment will be 2:00 p.m. in Iowa.

Blessed be her memory.