BOONE, Iowa—Katherine “Kathy” Irene Martin was born to Frank and Belva (Dailey) Kester in Boone, Iowa on March 4th, 1949. She attended Moingona School House and Boone Schools before transitioning into the workforce.
She was always on the go and finally settled her life with Burdell Martin. They were united in marriage on June 18th of 1993 in Jacob Cave, Missouri. They spent many years managing their own restaurant and bar called Kathy’s Hacienda near Laurie, Missouri for many years. Meanwhile, they enjoyed spending time on the Ozarks and visiting the casino.
In the early 2000s they moved back to Iowa where they worked at the Hilltop Greenhouse in rural Ogden. Kathy then spent many years working at the Boone County Hospital, where she eventually retired. She spent her last years working at Eastern Star Masonic Home as a Homemaker. Everyone there enjoyed her presence as you could find her chatting away with the residents and offering comfort.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Belva (Dailey) Kester; her husband, Burdell Martin; her brothers, Ron and Butch Kester; her sisters, Carol Smith, Rowena Bray, Nadine Miller, Lettie Ann Kester, Gertie Kuil, and Jeanie Porter.
She is survived by her children; Bruce (Christina) Bennett, Shelly (Mark) Lindahl, Blaine (Terri) Martin, Bruce Bennett (Big Bruce) and Julie Tornberg of South Dakota. She is also survived by her siblings; Dennis “Louie” Kester, Randy Kester, and sister-in-law, Penny Kester.
She loved her grandchildren dearly and is survived by many and their spouses; Brandon Alden (Paige Prokop), Stephen (Britney) Lindahl, Colten (Allison) Bennett, Morgan Bennett, Jaxson Bennett, Lindsay (Daniel) Lynch, Madison (Zach) Campbell, and Zachary Lindahl.
Also survived by many great grandchildren; Elias, Edison, and Elliott Alden; Everett and Jett Lindahl; Elena and Nash Lynch; Kruze and Knox Campbell; Avery Lindahl; Alia and Charlie Prokop.
To Our Grandma
You weren’t like other grandmothers
Who let their age impact their way of life.
You continued doing the things you loved,
Until the very end.
Always active,
Always fierce,
And always ready to bring a smile to our faces.
Grandma, your full life touched so many.
You will always be loved and never forgotten.
Kathy’s celebration of life will be Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM at 1140 Montana Road, Boone, IA 50036.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Kathy’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com
