Martha Grace Deines

Martha Grace (Andrews) Deines, 92, of Greene, Iowa, went to meet her Heavenly Father on Friday, May 22, 2026. Funeral Services of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church at 324 E. Traer St, Greene, IA, on Saturday, May 30 at 11:00am with burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 29 from 5 to 7pm at St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Martha was born April 7, 1934, at the family home in Greene, IA. She was the firstborn to Dr. William "Doc” and Marjorie (Flitton) Andrews. She was followed by 3 sisters: Marjorie, Marilyn, & Melinda. You’ve probably heard of them as they were better known as, “The Andrews Sisters.”

Among other interests, Martha was active in the Greene High School Band. She met the love of her life by way of her bandmate and friend, Carol (Deines) Neessen, who asked her brother, John David Deines, to give them a ride home from a band festival in Mason City. Their first date was at a Carnival in Downtown Greene and as they say: "the rest is history."

John and Martha both graduated from Greene High School and Wartburg College. They were married on June 12,1955, at St. Peter Lutheran Church where John’s father, Ishmael John “I.J.” Deines was the Pastor.

Martha received her 2-year Teaching Degree and taught 1st and 2nd grade. When she started having children, she became a stay-at-home mom - a role she treasured and felt was her most important job. John’s ministry took them to Dubuque (where David was born) and John graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary in 1956. Their next move was where John served as an intern at Bethany Lutheran Church in Portland, OR (where Dana was born). He was called as Pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Correctionville, IA (where Dawn was born), and then John served from 1961 until 1969 as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Davenport, IA (where Diedre, Darla, and Danette were born). The highlight of their ministry together was at the Lutheran Student Center – University of Northern Iowa from 1969-1999. Martha served as John’s secretary where they both had the privilege of ministering to many young adults and influencing their spiritual lives.

Martha’s husband, John, passed away on November 11, 2013, after having been married for 58 years. They are survived by their 6 children, 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (and counting).

David & Julie Burns Deines of Cedar Park, TX and their children, Kate Sullivan (Brian) of Georgetown, TX and Emma of Cedar Park, TX. Dana & Samantha Pieters Deines of Cedar Falls, IA and their children Alexa Tornberg (James) of Saint Paul, MN, and Jared Deines (Laura) of Tiffin, IA. Dawn Deines-Christensen & Keith Christensen of Greene, IA and their children Chelsey Christensen (John Groth) of Washington, DC and Lynsey Moritz (Dan) of DeSoto, WI. Diedre & Doug Schumacher of Fountain Hills, AZ and their children Erica Schumacher Whitaker (Jack) of Orange, CA, Andrew Schumacher (Angel) of Northglenn, CO and Erin Schumacher of Santa Monica, CA. Darla Deines Hollis of Omaha, NE and her children Darrica Baird (Evan) of Omaha, NE and David Hollis (and fiancé, Ellie) of San Francisco, CA. Danette Deines Norris of Flagler Beach, FL and her child Brody Norris (and fiancé, Mia) of Sanford, FL. John and Martha’s great-grandchildren include Weston & Magnolia Groth; Judah, Avery & Benjamin Tornberg, Charles, Jordan, Jackson & Daniel Deines; Jackson & Morrison Baird; and Elsey Moritz. Martha is also survived by her sisters: Marjorie Enabnit, Marilyn Watson, Melinda (& Dennis) McWilliams, her sister-in-law Judy Snell Deines and many nieces & nephews. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, and her in-laws: Joe & Fontell Deines, Carol & Jim Neessen, and Don Deines.

Martha was quiet, calm and positive - a woman of few words and straightforward answers. She has knitted countless afghans for loved ones and enjoyed working on puzzles, watching a sporting event and rooting on her UNI Women's Volleyball team (Her favorite color was purple!). She enjoyed helping Dawn in her Prairie Patterns studio to glaze and count out Prayer Pebbles for many years. Beyond this reserved exterior, Martha was resilient, strong, and selfless. She loved her family and was quick to tell others how much she loved them and how proud she was of them.

In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family suggests memorials be directed to St. Peter Lutheran Church or EWALU Bible Camp. Online condolences may be expressed at www.StevensMemorialChapel.com.