Martha Thompson

Martha Ann Thompson

 A celebration of life memorial service for longtime Lamar resident, Martha Ann Thompson will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Peacock Family Chapel with Ian Blacker officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Clarinda, Iowa.

  Martha passed away on September 4, 2024 at her home in Lamar at the age of 85 with her family by her side.

 Martha was the youngest of eight children, born on January 15, 1939, to Charles and Martha (Crain) Winter in the family farmhouse at Hepburn, IA. She had a happy childhood growing up on the farm and in her hometown of Clarinda, IA. She married Terry Thompson in August 1958. Together, they had four children, Tracy, Scott, Ted, and Leigh. Sadly, Tracy was lost in an accident at the age of seven.

 Terry and Martha divorced after 28 years. Marvin Rosencrans entered her life and they spent 22 years together until he passed in 2008. 

 In 1981 she earned her LPN certificate. This was the beginning of her nursing journey. She went back to school and became a registered nurse in 1983, a position she treasured.

Martha worked at Prowers Medical Center throughout her entire career. She pushed for oncology treatments to be provided locally and was the community’s first certified oncology nurse with the ability to administer chemotherapy. Saving patients and their families long hours of travel to Pueblo to receive treatments. Martha was integral in the development of Lamar Area Hospice, being the first of two nurses delivering hospice care to the area. She remained with this program for nearly 30 years. For her outstanding work as a nurse and in the community, she was nominated for the Florence Nightingale Award and received the Athena Award.

 Mom made the community of Lamar her home, she could be seen working out at the Community Building, walking through town, visiting friends, and taking part in church and community activities.

 The house in Cedar Hills was one of her proudest possessions. After decades of living like a nomad, having a home of her own was a dream come true. Regarding her neighbors in Cedar Hills, she could not say often enough how much she loved her neighbors and neighborhood.

 Despite years of cancer treatments and the onset of dementia, Martha remained the kind, funny, and special person we have all known. She always had the ability to make people feel like family.

 Survived by: Her Sister: Carolyn Giuli; Sister-in-law: Carol Winter; Children: Scott Thompson (Alice Nelson), Ted Thompson, Leigh Miller (Mike); Stepchildren, Elizabeth (Pat) Mason and Marvin Rosencrans II (Shaylene); Grandchildren: Casey Thompson, Amber (Joe) Citta, Wooddy (Annete) Miller, Ethan Mason, Jarrod Mason (Lucy), Logan Rosencrans and Luke Rosencrans, Terri Ellis (JW) and Dustin Nelson (Jade); five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

 Preceding her in death, her son Tracy; grandson, Zachary; Spouse Marvin Rosencrans; Siblings and their spouses Douglas and Frances Winter, Esther and Don Hart, Bryron and Glenna Winter, Kenneth and Betty Jo Winter, Edward Winter, Bill Giugli, Helen Winter as an infant and special friend Albert Reifschneider.

 A special thanks to Lamar Area Hospice. This program provided outstanding compassionate around the clock care for Mom. Because of these wonderful ladies, Martha was able to comfortably stay in her home. This is an amazing program, and we cannot state our appreciation enough.

 In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lamar Area Hospice or Lamar Christian Church.