Martha Casterton

Martha Casterton, age 87, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Barthell Eastern Star in Decorah, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor Peter Kowitz and Rev. Gary Krapfl presiding. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery.

Visitation will be 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation before the service on Monday morning at the church.

Please use the link to view the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl6YGCm_JYs

Martha Gail (Hovey) Casterton was born on February 18, 1938, to Clarence and Clara (Syverson) Hovey in Madison Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa. She was the youngest child and joined her sisters, Virginia and Colleen, on the family farm. She was baptized and confirmed in Decorah Lutheran Church and graduated from Decorah High School in May 1955.

On June 4 of that same year, she was married to Bernard Casterton at Decorah Lutheran Church. After living in an apartment in Decorah for six months, they moved to the Century family farm and began a partnership with her parents, raising beef, hogs, dairy cows, and chickens, and farming the land. She was also Bernie’s big helper with the Pioneer seed corn business. Four children were born to their union: Charles, Stephen, Judy, and Paul.

She enjoyed fishing anywhere and spending time at their cabin near Lansing with Bernie and their family. She also loved to play cards, especially Bridge, and was a member of many card groups. Over the years, she was also a member of Silvercrest and Oneota Country Club. She spent many volunteer hours and served on many committees at her church. In addition, she owned and operated M G Jewelry in Decorah for many years.

After Bernard passed away on September 19, 2017, she continued to live on the family farm until her own memory issues made it necessary to move to Wellington Place four years ago. She then moved to the Eastern Star home until her death on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the mission of Martha’s life. Whether it was attending school events, sporting competitions, state fairs, or 4-H activities, she was always there. Christmas Eve was an especially treasured time for Martha, when the family gathered at the farm to share a delicious meal, including her legendary Norwegian specialties: Lefse, flatbread, Romegrot, sour cream white cookies, and brown cookies, and exchange gifts while enjoying the evening.

She is survived by her children: Chuck (Deanna) Casterton, Steve Casterton, Judy (Kevin) Lansing, and Paul (Patty) Casterton; her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Justin (Katie) Casterton, Ava and Carson; Kelly (Josh Dee), Ida and Lela; Kelly (Jeff Evans), Hayden and Hallie; Darrah (Mitch Holland), Kaeding and Ivie; Micole (Josey Jewell), Rohen, Cru, and Layla; Augusta (Jacob Roher) and Audrey Casterton, and her sister-in-law, Belva Fadness, and many nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; her grandson, Danan Lansing; her parents, her mother and father in law: Augusta and Josiah Casterton; her siblings and spouses: Virginia and Obert Sacquitne, Colleen and Ralph Askelson; her sister-and brothers-in-law, Edna (Alvin) Swenson, Palma (Orville) Wermager, James Casterton (at age 7), Lawrence (Ethel) Casterton, James (Shirley) Casterton, June (Leonard Olson), Myrtle (Melvin) Noecker and Harold Fadness

The Casterton Family appreciates the care she received in her last years and the companionship she enjoyed with family and friends over her entire life. Blessed be her memory!