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| Martha Vandevoort while a student at Central College in Pella, Iowa. | Martha Wilkins in 2005 while visiting Pella. |
She grew up on a farm 2 miles east of town, and attended a one-room school that taught 20 total students in grades 1-8 with one teacher.
She attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, got her B.A. degree, and met Jean Wilkins. On June 26, 1947 she married him. She is survived by her sister Artis Vandevoort Leabo, who lives in Seattle, and her three sons: David, who with his wife Katherine, lives in Palm Springs, CA - their extended family are also California residents; Paul, who also lives in Palm Springs, CA; and John, who with his wife Teri live in Woodbury, MN. Their children are Brian, who lives in Minneapolis, and Emily, who is a Ph.D. student at Utah State University.
Martha taught in Pella Community Schools before becoming a mother, took 13 years off to raise her 3 boys, and then returned to teaching, becoming David's 7th grade math teacher and continued teaching until retirement.
In 1979, Martha and Jean moved to Colorado and enjoyed twenty-five wonderful years, spending time in the mountains and traveling extensively. They moved near John in Woodbury in 2004 and became active grandparents to Brian and Emily.
Martha's special interests, besides parenting, were traveling, mathematics, puzzles, and games. She loved the ocean, which she enjoyed while visiting her sons in California.
Martha will be interred in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Section 37 Site 1263.
