Treva Lavonne Martsching

Treva Lavonne Martsching passed the morning of June 9th at the age of 97 in the home she had lived in for 63 years. She had progressive hereditary neuropathy for more than 45 years and in recent years had become nearly wheelchair bound.

She was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, 30 January 1927 to Frank Lee and Viola Wanda (Stanton) Mark/s.

After her mother died in 1943, she was left to care for three half-siblings, Zola, Vada and Samuel Owings -all deceased.

She married William August Martsching on 14 May 1944 (Mother's Day that year) in Ottumwa, where they lived till October 1958 when they moved to Ames, Iowa.

She was very musical and learned to play a pump organ at a very young age. Later she played piano, violin, guitar, accordion, and xylophone. Because of the neuropathy she gradually gave up playing most instruments and recently finally gave up playing the piano.

She provided child care for many years and fostered more than 300 young children.

She was a very active member of the Ames Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Her husband, William A Martsching, passed in June 2003.

She is survived by three children: Paul William Martsching of Ames, Iowa; Marvin Lee (Allayne) Martsching of Park City, Kansas; and Tracie (Cody) Cameron of Ankeny, Iowa. Six grandchildren: Kirt Bryan (Alyssa) Martsching of Moscow, Idaho; and Kyle Dean (Cassie) Martsching of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jason (Amy) Cameron, Katelyn Cameron, Carson Cameron and Logan Cameron of Ankeny, Iowa. Seven great-grandchildren: Kaitin, Brynn and Dara Martsching; Blake, Bryce and Brody Cameron; and Ario Beau

She was predeceased by older half-siblings Frank Jr (Hank), James Lemuel (Bud) and Charles Marks and brothers Noel Calvin Marks and Verle Vernon Marks.

Visitation will be Wednesday 5-7 pm June 12th; the funeral will be Thursday June 13 at 2 pm at Stevens Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Story Memorial Gardens