Martha Walburga Stevens

Martha Walburga (Seger) Stevens, age 88, of Colfax, Iowa, passed away on June 6, 2023, at her home. A visitation will be held for Martha at Coburn Funeral Home on Monday, June 12, 2023, from 5-7 PM. A funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Colfax the following day, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 10:30 AM. A burial will take place at Colfax Cemetery following the funeral. After the funeral, a luncheon will be held at the church, and all are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to Martha’s family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

The daughter of Martin and Margaret Seger, Martha was born on May 20, 1935, in Germany. Martha grew up as one of 12 children! She was raised in Germany and completed high school there. On October 10,1955, she was married to Claude Earl Stevens in Nurmberg. Without knowing much English, she moved back to Colfax with Earl. She ended up picking up the English language, but her German accent was always strong throughout her entire life. Martha spent her life babysitting, cleaning houses, and most importantly, working as a CNA at the nursing home in Prairie City. Above all things, she was a woman of family, raising four children, and later becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother to many more! Her children recall the conversations she would have with relatives in complete German, and they remember singing Silent Night and many other Christmas Carols in Martha’s native language.

Those left to honor Martha’s memory include her children; Sandy (Jay) Williams, Nancy (Bob) Rhone, and Robert (Sheri) Stevens, 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, as well as one great great grandchild (plus one on the way!) Preceding Martha in death were her parents; Martin and Margaret Seger, her husband; Earl, a son; Craig Stevens, and seven sisters and four brothers.