Martha (Ireton) Stults

Martha “Martie” Ireton Stults was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska on March 16, 1927. She was the second child born to Henry F. and Marie (Roberts) Ireton. Her biological father left for work in Texas when Martie was around the age of two. The remainder of the family moved to Haxtun, Colorado to be near her Uncle Carey and his wife Mildred, a local school teacher.

Martie spent her high school years at NE High School in Lincoln, Nebraska where she lived with her Uncle John and Aunt Rena Roberts, who had no children of their own. While she was attending high school, WWII started. For her last three years in high school, she would go to work after school in a plant that manufactured fuel tanks for bombers for the war effort.

After Martie’s high school graduation, her Uncle John (a university level football coach), took a head coaching job where he and his wife moved to Washington State. Martie’s mother had moved near Wray, so Martie moved from Lincoln to be close to her mother.

Upon arriving in Wray Martie began working in the Star Cafe, and met and became roommates with Darrel’s sister Leona.  After meeting Darrel and a year long courtship they married on Valentine’s Day 1947.  This union was blessed with four children, Debbie, Doug, Casey and Curt. While the children were in school, Martie worked as a cook and lunchroom attendant at the Vernon School. After the Vernon School closed, she drove the Activities bus and was also the activities coordinator alongside her mother (an LPN), at the Renotta Nursing Home for many years.

Darrel and Martie traveled extensively both during their working years and after retirement, visiting many states and countries alike.  Some of their favorite modes of transportation was one of their many travel trailers and motor homes.

Martie loved roses, gardening and working in the yard. Martie was considered a “Cake Baking Master” by many people in Vernon, Wray and the surrounding area. Her delicious cakes were highly sought after. She made cakes for many, many years for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and confirmations. Her other interests included, church, Community Center board, Farmer’s Union, extension clubs, as well as cooking and baking.

Martie was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Her love of children and homemaking made her life very fulfilling.  She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Vernon and remained a faithful member until her death.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother. Survivors include, husband, Darrel Stults, children, Deb Gillette, Doug Stults, Casey (DeeAnn) Stults, Lt. Col. Curt (Terry) Stults, 15 Grandchildren and 19 great children.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray, Colorado with Pastor Timothy Davis officiating. A Private Family Inurnment was held in the Glendale Cemetery in Vernon, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Hour, Hospice of the Plains or American Heart Association.  Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.