Obituaries : Enid V. Mart

VINTON - Enid Virginia Reeves Mart, 96, died Friday, December 30, 2016, at Willow Gardens in Marion, Iowa. Before relocating in August 2016, Enid was a long-time resident of Vinton, Iowa, where she had many friends. Enid was born March 25, 1920, in Knoxville, Iowa, to Walter and Clara Little Reeves. She was the second of five children. She eloped with Ernest Eli Mart on October 2, 1937. They had twelve children. Her husband of 47 years preceded her in death in 1984, as did five of her children: Norma Jean, Betty Wittenberg, David Mart, Christine Darisse and Evelyn Parker. She is survived by two sisters: Jean Smith of Alexandria, VA; and Rose Baldwin of Burlington, IA; seven children: Virginia Anderson of Texas; Jackie (Bud) Higdon of Hot Springs, AR; Cynthia (Frank) Webster of Louisville, KY; Judy (Mario) Cucchiarella of Port Orange, FL; Jerry (Monica) Mart of Kingman, KS; Thomas Mart of Cedar Rapids, IA; and Doug (Becky) Mart of Cedar Rapids, IA; numerous grandchildren, a passel of great-grandchildren, and a sprinkling of great-great-grandchildren, every one of them beautiful. She also had a widespread collection of beloved nephews and nieces. Deena (Dan) Reeves Keumpel of Cedar Rapids, IA, was nearest and dearest to her heart. Mom enjoyed the Gazette crossword, jigsaw puzzles and Skip-Bo. She was sharp to the end and never hesitated to share her particular brand of wisdom with each and every one of us. Mom nearly always got the last word. She never turned down ice cream or a Hershey's kiss. Her family will hold a Celebration of Life memorial for her in Vinton in July of 2017. We are thankful for the excellent care of the staff at Willow Gardens Care Center, and for Gerry, her roommate, who made Mom's time there pleasant. Online condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.