Martha Gravatt

Funeral Service for Martha Gravatt will be held Friday, May 28, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Pastor Mickey Olson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Lunch will be served following the service in the church basement. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Martha was born on the family farm in Traverse county, May 5, 1914 to William H. Simson and Alfhild (Rosdahl) Simson, the fourth of six children. She was a graduate of Wheaton High School, class of 1932. Martha married Wallace H. Gravatt, October 16, 1937. They had two children, Glenn and Sherry. Martha and Wally met when they were 16 and 19 years old, on the way to the Minnesota State Fair with their 4-H clubs. Martha was very active in 4-H for many years as a member then as a leader, starting the original North Star club in Traverse county. They farmed in Traverse county for many years before moving into Wheaton. Martha and Wally, along with their children belonged to the saddle club of Wheaton and in California after their move there in 1952. Martha was a member of the Rebecca Lodge in Minnesota and California, holding many positions. She also was a teacher for many years in private and public schools in California. They also belong to many square dancing clubs, dancing their way from Alaska to Branson. Martha and Wally both retired in 1976. Many thousands of miles were put on their little motor home after that, not missing many of the 52 states. They were married for 56 years, having celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1987. After selling her California home in 2000, she moved to Utah a year, then back to her beloved Wheaton, Minnesota. Many people have said, "You remembered my Birthday!" Martha loved to send cards to everyone. Martha Adele Simson Gravatt, passed away December 22, 2009 in Bountiful, Utah in her daughters home where she had resided for the last year. Martha is survived by her daughter Sherry (John) Hansen; daughter-in-law, Sally Gravatt, Chino, CA.; sister, Hilma Bodini, Placentia, CA.; sisters-in-law, Sue Ann Anderson, Forest Lake, MN.; Opal Simson, St. Cloud, MN.; grandchildren: Bambi (Jerry) Van Dyke, NV., Dusty Gravatt, Lori Gravatt, CA., Cristal (Jim) Judd, Joe Yannotti, UT., Cynthia Yannotti, Fort Johnson, N.Y., Kurt Hansen, Trisha (Brian) Cutler, UT., Belinda (Jay) Robinson, N.D.; 21 great-grandchildren; 22 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.Martha was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, son, Glenn and granddaughter-in-law.