Martha Marie Vetter Dukowitz

Martha Dukowitz went to join her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. She was born on December 14, 1915 in Floyd County, Iowa, the oldest of four children of Fred and Elizabeth Vetter. She, along with her brother Art and her sisters Emma and Mildred, grew up on a farm and experienced both its hardships and joys , including the Great Depression. Most of the farmers in the region were of German heritage, and she spoke only German until age 5, when her father, as President of the School Board, pushed through a controversial plan that required all classes to be conducted in English.

Because of her parents’ push for education, she graduated from high school at 16 and found herself too young to go on to college. She then set out to find work, which took her to Waverly, Iowa. It was there she met her future husband, Albert, and they were married July 1, 1936 in Waukegan, Illinois.

In 1945 her son Jim was born, and she divided her time between working and homemaker in Waverly. She worked at Infelt’s Department Store, where she was responsible for the department that handled fabrics and sewing materials. Later she worked for HyVee grocery store where she specialized in cake decoration.

In 1980 she retired and moved to Waterloo to help her sisters care for their mother. In 1985 she moved to Dallas to be closer to her son and family, first moving to Allen, and then to Preston Place, a retirement community in Plano.

On Christmas Day, 2008, she had a stroke and, after going through rehab, moved into assisted living in Allen and later to a skilled nursing facility in Richardson.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Dukowitz; her parents, Fred and Elizabeth Vetter; and, her brother Art and her sister Emma.

Survivors include her sister Mildred, who lives in Waterloo, Iowa; and her son Jim, his wife Joy, and their children Matthew and Marisa. Jim, Joy, Matt and Marisa all live in the Dallas area. She has many nieces and nephews who live in California, North Carolina and Iowa.

Martha will be remembered by all that knew her as “the lady with a smile”. One of the residents at the nursing home, an ordained minister, commented “she has the Spirit of God in her eyes.” She was a loving mother and grandmother, and kept a close bond with all her family. She was a private person, but treasured her friendships. She was extremely good at crafts, and made beautiful greeting cards using the unique art of “quilling”. She also loved to crochet, and anything to do with crafts in general.

She was also a wonderful cook, especially baking, and her family and friends always anxiously awaited the next pie, cake or Christmas stollen!

She loved to read, and often would talk about the books she had completed – everything from spiritual books to politics! Like all true Iowans, she was also an expert on the weather, and would spend hours watching the Weather Channel, and knew what was happening all over the country.

She also loved to travel, and was able to visit many countries in Europe and Asia, as well as Australia.

She was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Waverly for 70 years, and throughout her life gave countless hours in volunteer work to help the sick and needy.

A loving and caring mother and grandmother, a friend to all who knew her, she will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. Because her faith was strong, we know that she is now in the caring hands of God.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 1210 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson, Texas 75080.

Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Richardson, TX.