Loraine Esther Martin Obituary (1941 - 2018)

Loraine Esther Martin of Carlisle passed away on August 5, 2018. Memorial funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday August 25, 2018 at the Bloomfield United Methodist Church in Des Moines. A visitation will begin at 9:30 prior to services at the church. Loraine was born January 13, 1941 in Jewell, IA to Leonard and Beulah (Balsley) Carlson. Loraine graduated from Webster City High School and went on to obtain a License in Cosmetology from Iowa School of Beauty. She was a homemaker who devoted many hours to her children until she entered the work force in 1979. She worked for Diamond/Syntax Laboratories, Webster City Products Co, and then went on to work for Children and Families of Iowa for many years until her retirement. On April 21, 2001, Loraine married the love of her life, Leon "Marty" Martin. Loraine was an active member of the Eastern Star, not only in the Carlisle Chapter, but also in neighboring communities, in which she held various offices. Some of her many hobbies included league bowling, card club, doing word search puzzles, playing cribbage, dominos, and "The Dice Game." Loraine enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and she would always solve the puzzle before anyone else in the room. She also enjoyed card making, watching movies and spending time with friends and family. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son Ronald Wayne Van Vleet, a daughter Lynette Lorene Van Vleet, a grandson Nathan Wayne Van Vleet, a brother Jack Carlson and a sister Maryanna Carlson. Survivors include her daughter, Christine (Rob) Stiehl; grandchildren, Brandon (Stephanie) Van Vleet, Natalie (Joseph) Zuker, Audrey Morlan and Meredith Morlan; great-grandchildren, Mason and Presley Van Vleet; her twin sister and best friend, Lorene Grandgeorge; brother, Leonard "Boe" Carlson; her niece, Beth Shipley and husband Rod who were her dear friends and caregivers over the last few years of her life. Loraine also leaves behind an additional 13 nieces and nephews who she loved and cherished like they were her own. In lieu of flowers friends and family may contribute to a memorial fund that will be made in her name to Lutheran Family Adoption Services.