Lois Martyn

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Lois Leora Ptomey Martyn, age 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Burial will held next week in Sioux City, Iowa.

Lois was born on Nov. 21, 1915, in Arlington, Colo., to Charles Lewis Ptomey and Ora Lee Lynch Ptomey. Lois grew up and graduated high school in Pueblo, Colo., where she also met her husband, Herbert John Martyn.

The couple married on Dec. 26, 1934, and were married for more than 52 years. They moved to Sioux City, Iowa, in 1949 where she taught child evangelism classes in her home, worked at the Armor Meat Packing Company and worked for Martin's and Yonkers department stores for well over 20 years.

Her husband passed away in 1987 from Alzheimer's, which ignited her advocacy to become one of the founders of the Sioux City Alzheimer's Association. She traveled and spoke throughout the state to educate others.

Lois loved to knit, and during her 13 years in Mountain Home, she made more than 1,000 caps for the Head Start students, 1,429 caps for babies born at the hospital, numerous lap robes for seniors housed in Cedar Crest, scarves for the Idaho Special Olympics and countless items for family members. Lois also belonged and participated in activities in the Sioux City Seniors Citizens Center and the Sioux City Baptist Church.

Lois is survived by her daughter, Lee Ann and her husband Leo Miller of Mountain Home; her son, H. Al and his wife Marilyn Martyn of Westfield, Iowa; as well as six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Alta Louise Ptomey, a grandson and her husband, Herb.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at 225 North Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17 Chicago, IL 60601-7633.