Martha Farlow Knapp

Martha Kay Farlow Knapp, 81, of Winterset, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Martha Kay McKeever was born in Des Moines, Iowa on May 21, 1944 to William McKeever and Kathryn (Gordon) McKeever. Her parents were divorced and her mother later married Billy W. Farlow, who adopted her legally.

Marty grew up in Winterset, attending North Ward Elementary, South Ward for junior high, and graduating from Winterset High School in 1962. She worked at the Ben Franklin store and attended St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Three Little Maids, a trio who traveled to New York and auditioned for Ted Mack's Amateur Hour in 1962.

After attending Wartburg College for four years, she lived and worked in Des Moines, Iowa for Cowles Communications, Incorporated and Merchant Computer Services. During this time she met and married Ronald "Jake" Dorn, the construction coordinator for the movie "Cold Turkey", which was filmed in Greenfield and Winterset. They were married in December 1970 in California. Their daughter Katy Ann was born in October of 1971. They lived in North Hollywood and Marty and Katy attended Valley Lutheran Church.

Marty started working for Lockheed-California Company in Burbank in 1972. In 1979, Marty and Jake separated. They shared custody and she and Katy took tap dancing lessons together and attended Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where Marty directed the Cherub Choir. Marty was a 1981 member of the L.A. Master Chorale under the direction of Roger Wagner, and performed twice with the group at the Hollywood Bowl to audiences numbering 9,000 that summer. Marty purchased a house in Burbank in 1983.

While at Lockheed, Marty met Thomas J. Knapp, another Planner there, and they were married at Luther Memorial Church in Burbank on August 10, 1985. They worked together, bowled on Lockheed leagues together, and eventually moved to Quartz Hill, California in the High Desert of the Antelope Valley. As their blended family evolved, several members were added. Family gatherings on holidays became special times at their home.

Marty enjoyed a creative life - making greeting cards on her computer, sewing, knitting, crocheting, writing, reading ... and she and Tom were members of the AV Dust Devils Camping Club. Her family was a valued treasure to her and she loved all its members. She and Tom continued working at Lockheed until their retirement July 31, 2014. In May of 2015, they moved to Winterset, Iowa. Marty was able to spend quality time with her dear mother instead of a couple of vacation weeks annually.

Marty renewed her membership at St. Paul Lutheran Church and brought Tom along with her. She enjoyed singing in the choir there, and also sang as part of the Lions Club Community Chorus for several years. She was an active member of the Madison County Antique Association, serving as Recording Secretary for several years. She was a member of the Madison County Genealogical Society and was proud that she was a great-great-great granddaughter of Caleb and Ruth Clark, well-known settlers of Madison County. She was also proud of her Norwegian heritage.

She was a loving caregiver for her husband Tom but lost him in September of 2022 due to existing health issues and Covid. They shared a wonderful 37-year marriage.

Her memory will be cherished by daughters, Katy Dorn and Hope Knapp; son, Jay (Andrea) Knapp; grandchildren, Chris, Chelsea and Chase Dorn, Joey, Crystal (Breanna) and Garrett (Dani) Schiavello, and Samantha Knapp; great-grandchildren, Joey V, Tristen and Penny Slayton, and Brook and Emma Knapp. She will also be remembered by her sister, Rosalie Noland; her brother, Frank Farlow; and numerous relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her fathers, Bill McKeever and Billy Farlow; her dear mother, Kathryn Farlow; a granddaughter, Valeri Schiavello, and her beloved husband, Tom Knapp.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 21, 2026 (her birthday) at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation.