Helen Martena Mobley January 15, 1922 – October 8, 2010
Helen Martena Mobley passed away at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa on October 8, 2010. She was born January 15, 1922 on a farm north of Diagonal, Iowa. Martena was one of five children born to Louis and Elizabeth (McManus) Vanderpluym. She graduated from Lenox high school in 1940. After graduation Martena taught school for several years.
Martena married Burl Mobley on January 24, 1947 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Maloy, Iowa. They farmed and raised their sons near Benton, Iowa. Martena served as the Benton postmaster and later transferred to the Redding Post Office. She retired after 30 years in the postal service. Martena liked gardening and helping on the farm. Most of all, she enjoyed taking care of her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Martena was preceded in death by her husband, Burl; her parents, Louis and Lizzie Vanderpluym; mother-in-law, Maude Mobley; brother, Paul (Mary) Vanderpluym; sisters, Veldeva Reese and husbands Louis Morris and Bernard Reese and Frances Ricker; special cousin, Kate (Harley) Morley; brothers-in-law, Denzil (Darlene) Mobley and Melvin Johnson, and sister-in-law, Alberta (Delmar) Van Winkle.
Martena is survived by her two sons, Glee and Ron (Sue) Mobley, all of Benton, Iowa; her grandchildren, Greg (Amy) Mobley, Marci Johnson, Brian Mobley, Wyatt (Josie) Mobley, Elaine Mobley and Melonie Mobley; her great-grandchildren, Madison, Emma and Gracie Mobley, Ashton and Alyssa Johnson, DeMarcus Rife and Cole and Kerrigan Mobley; sister, Lucille Johnson; brother-in-law, Ted Ricker; sister-in-law, Hazel Laughlin; nieces; nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Memorials are to Hospice of Central Iowa and Waubonsie community building. Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
Services were conducted at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Mount Ayr on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Father Glen Wilwerding officiated. Organist was Peggy Worthington.
Casket bearers included Greg Mobley, Brian Mobley, Wyatt Mobley, Marci Johnson, Elaine Mobley and Melonie Mobley.
Martena was laid at rest in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Maloy.
