Martha Belle West

and Alva (Delaney) Harrison. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and

was the salutatorian of her 1952 graduating class from Shelbina (Missouri) High School. She

attended the University of Missouri—Columbia and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science

in Education.

Martha got a job teaching Home Economics in Rock Port, Missouri. During her time in Rock Port,

she lived with Joanne (Smith) Woodward in a rental house. Joanne’s boyfriend, Bill, brought his

best friend, Larry West, to meet Martha and two years later, Larry and Martha married on

September 4, 1959 in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

Martha was a county extension agent in Weeping Water while Larry worked as an excavator for

Decker Homes in Omaha. In 1961, they moved to La Vista, and Jill was born. In 1963, Larry started

his own excavating business, and Joan was born. In 1965, Larry and Martha bought five acres

between Papillion and Bellevue, and Jane was born. Larry was very successful with West

Excavating, and Martha’s business sense was a key factor to this success. Joe was born in 1967.

In 1979, a house up the hill from the “red house” was for sale, and the West family made their

final move to Susie Circle in Quail Creek.

Over the next few years, their children graduated, moved to college, graduated again and began

families of their own. Larry and Martha enjoyed playing golf and traveling with family and friends.

They hosted many family dinners and bridge parties. Martha was a wonderful cook and Larry

always provided the entertainment. Martha was an avid bridge player—she played with many

groups. She created numerous quilts and hand-quilted many of them. She was also a voracious

reader.

In 2017 Martha suffered a stroke that affected the left side of her body and required that she use

a wheelchair. She and Larry moved to Hillcrest Grand Lodge in September 2018. Martha passed

away on September 15, 2022.

Martha was preceded in death by a daughter, Joan, in 2005. She is survived by her husband of

63 years, Larry; daughters Jill (Jim) Shields and Jane (Lin) Dehning and son Joe (Amy) West.

Grandchildren are Andrew (Kelsi) Shields, Justin Shields, Connor Shields, Logan (Corey) Dehning,

Micah Dehning and Danny Grothe. Great grandchildren are Ellery Shields, Callie Shields, Will

Shields, and Lylah Reese.