Martha Cary, 95, of Atlantic, IA, formerly of Griswold, died Thursday morning, July 9, 2009, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center in Atlantic.

Martha Belle Harms was born on December 2, 1913 at Walt Hill, NE, the daughter of Fred and Mae (Pender) Harms. She attended schools at Van Meter, IA. On August 13, 1936, she married Ralph Don Cary at Maryville, MO. They farmed west of Griswold and moved to town in 1954. Following Ralph's death on September 4, 1982, she continued to live in her home at 311 Whitney ST until the flood in June 1998 went through her home. She then moved to her apartment in Atlantic and was there until last August when she moved to the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.

Martha spent her life caring for others. After moving to town she worked for the Western Auto Store and then was head cook at the Griswold Middle School until she was forced to retire because of age. She then cooked at Mom's Café until the age of 70. Her greatest joy came from baking bread and cinnamon rolls for everyone. She continued baking until just the last month. Martha was a member of the First Church of Christ in Atlantic and the Rebekah Lodge.

Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Elmquist and her husband Dale of Atlantic, her grandson Keith Elmquist and his wife Joanie of Ankeny, IA and her great-grandsons Joshua, Jakob and Adam of Ankeny. Also surviving are her sisters, Ruth Trimmer of Golden, CO and Thelma Gurdees of Fairmont, MN, her special friends Allen and Janette Herzberg of Atlantic and her many nieces, nephews and friends.

Her parents, her husband Ralph, her brothers Fred, Glen, Clarence, Arthur, Orville and Leo and her sisters Evelyn and Dorothy preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 13, 2009 at the First Church of Christ in Atlantic at 11:00 AM, Dale Kesterson officiating. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold and visitation with the family will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral on Monday. Immediately following the service at the church, the family invites friends to a time of fellowship and lunch at the church before proceeding to the Wheeler Grove Cemetery near Carson, IA for burial. Memorials should be directed to the First Church of Christ in Atlantic. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with completing Martha's wishes.