BARBARA E. MARTIN, 84, of Marcus, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Heartland Care Center surrounded by her family.

Memorial services will be held on at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Grace Methodist Church in Marcus, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will take place an hour prior to the service at Grace Methodist Church beginning at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. Travis Stevick and Dr. Lorna Leavitt will officiate. Burial of the cremains will be in the Marcus-Amherst Cemetery at Marcus, Iowa. The family would like to invite friends back to the Sawyer Center at Grace Methodist following the interment service at the cemetery for dinner and a time of fellowship. The Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee and Marcus is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Barb’s honor to the Women of Grace at Grace Methodist Church in Marcus, Iowa.

Barb was born on August 25, 1941 to Raymond and Verda (Hanson) Beeson at Correctionville, Iowa. She attended Anthon-Oto Schools and graduated in 1959. She began working at Security National Bank in Sioux City. She was united in marriage on December 27, 1961 to Jerome “Jerry” Martin at the Methodist Church in Anthon, and together they were blessed with two sons, Todd and Kent. In 1965, the family moved to Marcus, when Jerry took a teaching and coaching job for Marcus High School. Barb stayed busy at home while Jerry taught and coached taking care of their boys and two other boys, Randy and Brad Benton, whose parents also taught school.

Barb was the ultimate hostess and was able to use her talents to grow with the Home Interior and Gifts Company, as a consultant. She earned Top Sales in a 5-state region and worked extremely hard to earn their trips and gifts for her achievements, bringing her decorating skills into people’s homes and hosting parties.

She was a lifelong member of Grace Methodist Church and was a member of Marcus P.E.O, and United Methodist Women.

Barb loved to entertain and decorate her home. She had the most giving servant’s heart, always taking care of others and welcoming people into her home. She cherished any time spent with her family and especially loved her dogs, Pete, Ella, and most recently, Clark.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Verda Beeson, son Kent Martin , husband Jerry Martin, and infant great granddaughter Mya Stevens.

Barb will lovingly be remembered by her son Todd and Lurae Martin of Marcus, Iowa; grandchildren Jaime (Jeremy) Stevens of Sioux City, Iowa, Cole Martin of Roxborough, Colorado, Garrett (Madison) Beck of Castle Rock, Colorado, Dylan (Hazel) Martin of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Amanda (Mat) Peck of Marcus, Iowa; great grandchildren Keegan (Jordan)Stevens of Lincoln, Nebraska and their children Crew, Roman, and Walker, Giana Stevens of Sioux City, Iowa, Jerron Stevens of Sioux City, Iowa, Preston Beck of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Evelyn Peck of Marcus, Iowa; siblings Larry (Mary Lou) Beeson of Wisner, Nebraska, Gary (Rhonda) Beeson of Anthon, Iowa, and Connie (Gary) Edwards of Marcus, Iowa; also many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.