Martha Lapsley

MARTHA ELLEN LAPSLEY

Martha Ellen Lapsley, age 57, of Kahoka, MO, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2016 in a tragic fire that also took the life of her fiancé, James Neves and her beloved support dog, Baby.

Martha was born on January 14, 1959 in Kirksville, MO, the fourth child born to Robert James Lapsley and LaVonne Jill Leathers Lapsley. Martha had a large immediate family with twelve brothers and sisters.

She married Steve Dean and they are the parents of Garrett Dean. She then married Paul Maerz and they are the parents of Torey, Carl, Leah, and Malorie Maerz.

Survivors include her mother, Jill Shinn of Kahoka, MO; five children, Garrett (Missy) Dean of Hamilton, IL, Torey Maerz and Carl Maerz, both of Ankeny, IA, and Leah Maerz and Malorie Maerz, both of Keokuk, IA; two grandchildren, Taylor and Nicholas Maerz; brothers and sisters: Robert (Pat) Lapsley of Wooster, OH, Kent Lapsley of West Palm Beach, FL, Brent (Cheryle) Lapsley, Anne Lapsley and Karen Lapsley Owens, all of Houston, TX, James Lapsley of Kansas City, MO, John (Molly) Lapsley of Luray, MO, Carol Lapsley and Joe Lapsley, both of Houston, TX, Shirley (Jack) Holcomb of Anna, TX, Fred Shinn of Wayland, and Darla Shinn of Houston, TX; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her father on December 1, 1980; her grandparents, Marshall and Ada Paden Lapsley and Gerald and Leantha Rice Dawkins; and a niece, Sydney Owens (daughter of Karen Lapsley Owens).

As a youth, Martha was baptized at the old Christian Church in Kahoka and graduated from Clark County R-1 High School with the class of 1977.

Martha was a creative and fun-loving person. People were attracted to her because of her personality and the excitement she added to any gathering. She loved decorating her home, caring for her garden, and entertaining family and friends. Christmas was special and she celebrated by decking the house from top to bottom. She had an art for scrapbooking and was a collector of Snow Babies, Precious Moments, and an avid antique shopper. She was the typical "dance mom" and had groomed her daughters to be dancers. Like her mother, Martha was an excellent seamstress and made beautiful recital clothing for her daughters, Halloween costumes, and made sure her children were always well dressed.

Martha suffered with struggles of addiction that impacted her life. She worked hard every day to manage the addictions. However, through it all she never lost her humor. She loved her children dearly, she loved her siblings and extended family, and always appreciated the love and support they provided to her in their quest to help.

Funeral services were held Friday, August 5, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Mr. James Lapsley and Pastor Shawn McAfee officiating. Recorded music selections included: "Mama Loved The Roses", "How Great Thou Art" and "(I Did It) My Way". Pallbearers were: Torey Maerz, Carl Maerz, Garrett Dean, Seth Lapsley, Josh Lapsley, Thomas Shinn. Burial followed in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends called at Wilson Funeral Home after 9 a.m. Thursday with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m.

If anyone would like to make a memorial in Martha's honor, the family recommends doing so for the Clark County Ambulance District.

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Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home after 9 a.m. on Thursday with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m.