Martha L. Tharp

Martha was born November 6, 1920 in Ashland, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph Blaine and Lillie (Swanson) Newman. She attended Lincoln High School in Des Moines. Her marriage to I. Dale Tharp took place on April 18, 1938 in Des Moines. Dale preceded her in death on February 23, 2002. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Ralph Tharp; two sisters, Mildred Durchenwald; Bernadine Clark and a granddaughter, Tracy Tharp. Martha was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church and the Joy Club. She was a seamstress and enjoyed quilting, plastic canvas stitching as well as embroidery. She was also an excellent cook and enjoyed camping and fishing. She is survived by a son, Verlin Tharp and wife, Sharon of Guthrie Center; two daughters, Patricia Bequette of Patterson; Vickie Butler and husband, Larry of Winterset; two sisters, Marjorie Kubik of Cedar Rapids; Virginia Philipsen and husband, Don of Des Moines; a brother, Ralph Newman and wife, Doris of Des Moines, six grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. Visitation: Noon to 6:00 p.m., Monday, January 1, 2007 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare in Winterset, Iowa. Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at First Baptist Church. Memorial: Memorial contributions may be directed to a fund which has been established in her name.