Martha Jane Nyemaster

Martha was born December 8, 1916 in Des Moines, to W.R. and Bess Backman. She attended and graduated from East High School, Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and completed her education at Drake University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. After college Martha worked for Bankers Life Co. in Des Moines until she began raising her children.

She was married to William J. “Bud” Jaeger until his untimely death in 1962. In 1968, Martha married Ray Nyemaster and blended their families. Ray died in 1995.

She was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines and an associate member of Crosslake Lutheran Church in Crosslake, MN. She had a faithful interest in Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Jackson Hole, WY. Martha and Ray purchased a lake home in Crosslake, MN. They and their family and friends enjoyed the hospitality and beauty of lake living for many years.

Martha is survived by her daughter Judy Jaeger Hand; stepdaughter Martha (Marti) Nyemaster-Schelb, niece Deb Backman; grandchildren Katey (Aaron) Olson, Joe Hand, Melissa (Will) Faust, Will (Noy) Jaeger and Jon Nyemaster, Heather Davis - Richards and Nicole Hunter; great-grandchildren, Aliya and Tommy Olson, Edger and Martha Faust and John Jaeger. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, son John Jaeger brother Vim Backman and stepson Tom Nyemaster.