Martha Jean Roland, daughter of C. Harold and Ruth M. (Murr) Knapp, was born on December 7, 1925, near Ute, IA. She was baptized in April of 1935 at the Methodist Church in Ute, IA. Martha became a member of the church in September of 1938.
She attended country school in Soldier Township through the 8th grade, then Ute High School, graduating with the class of 1943. At the time of her graduation, WWII was taking place. After graduating, Martha went to welding school in Sioux City, IA. She was a welder in Blair, NE, and later in Omaha, where she welded for Eaton Metal Products. After the war, she worked as a waitress in Blair and later in Ruthven, IA. Martha worked as a CNA at Fonda Care Center for several years, starting in 1969.
On August 12, 1948, Martha Jean was united in marriage to Donald D. Roland in Spencer, IA. They farmed in the Ruthven and Emmetsburg areas until 1959. They then moved to Fonda, IA, where they farmed until retirement, at which time they moved to Sac City, IA. Martha and Donald were married just two days short of their 66th wedding anniversary, when Don, the love of her life passed away.
Martha loved to spend time with family, especially her grandchildren. She and Donald very rarely missed any of the grandchildren’s activities. Martha was a great cook and always had a garden. She loved crocheting and embroidering. Martha and Donald enjoyed camping and took their camper south several winters during their retirement. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Sac City and the U.M.W. group.
Martha Jean passed away Friday, October 19, 2018, at Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View, IA, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Donald; son-in-law Vernon Riedemann; brothers: George and Harold Knapp; sister Marian Schlie; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ed Schlie, Rick Reali, Mary Knapp, Vivian and Kenneth Fread, Darlene and Wayne Nissen, Charles Roland, Robert and Reba Roland, Dean and Sharon Roland, Mary Mingus, Helen Enderson, and Duane Cucklanz.
Survivors include her children: Donna Riedemann of Marcus, IA, Donald E. (Sabrina) Roland of Sac City and Sharon (Steve) Badertscher of Sac City; grandchildren: Garry, Jeremy and Ryann Riedemann, Jodee (Kyle) Stuart, Steven (Renee) Roland, Brent Erritt (special friend Samantha), and Briana (Lorne) Fauth; sister Amelia Reali; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Richard Mingus, Alan Enderson, Carol Knapp, Betty Cuklanz and Nancy Roland; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.