Martha Teetshorn

Martha Teetshorn, age 96, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah, Iowa, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor David Severtson presiding. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Cresco, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday morning at the church.

Funeral service will be livestreamed, see the link provided: https://youtube.com/live/ilrX7jRqE0o

Martha Fae (Dotzenrod) Teetshorn was born May 21, 1929, in Preston, Minnesota. Her mother and twin brother died during childbirth so she lived with aunts and uncles and her maternal grandparents until she was 9 years old. She then lived with her father and stepmother in Granger, Minnesota. They later moved to Cresco, and she graduated from Cresco High School.

On September 2, 1947, she married Roy Teetshorn of Ridgeway, lowa. They were married at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. They became the parents of three children, Janice, Joan and Allan. They moved to Decorah, Iowa. Martha did babysitting, did substitute work in the lunch program at Decorah schools, and then worked at Luther College for 9 years.

Martha loved sports and followed sports at Decorah schools and Luther College. She enjoyed camping with her family.

Martha and Roy were members of First Lutheran Church since 1955. She taught Sunday School for 12 years, served on the board of Deaconesses and was a circle member for many years until she became very hard of hearing. Martha loved for her family to come home and all be together.

Surviving her are children Joan Olson of Fort Dodge, Allan Teetshorn (Robin) of West Des Moines, and her son-in-law David Estrem (Dixie). She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and spouses, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter, along with many nieces and nephews. Martha was preceded in death by her husband Roy in 2003, her daughter Janice Estrem in 2005, and her parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters and her sister-in-law Phyllis Lewis.