Betty Marie (Burson) Martin, the daughter of Denton Robert Orlando and Leota Pearl (Liter) Burson, was born at her family farm near Strahan, Iowa on October 29, 1928. She grew up in the Emerson and Red Oak, Iowa areas where she attended country schools at Wales Lincoln, she also attended Bell Grove Grade School near Maryville. The family later moved to a farm southwest of Maryville, Missouri where she graduated from Maryville High School. Betty enjoyed playing the piano and her brother’s saxophone in band and at high school basketball games. She attended Maryville Teachers College one year, with intentions of becoming a Christian Educator / Teacher. This is where she met her husband, Carl Francis Martin.

Carl and Betty were united in marriage on April 17, 1949 in Maryville. The couple resided in Maryville, where Betty worked as a secretary for the Methodist Church in Maryville and at the Woolworth Dime Store. Upon moving to Tarkio, Betty worked for Carl as a secretary for Colfax Farmers Mutual Insurance for many years. She was an insurance agent, licensed under Tarkio Valley Agency with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. She worked part-time and full time for the agency for over 30 years.

Betty was a member of the Tarkio United Methodist Church, were she was a faithful Sunday school teacher for 35 years. She was devoted to her church, and served in numerous offices with the United Methodist Women, some of these positions being at the district level and Missouri West Conference level. Betty was President of the local unit when the organization changed their name from Women Society of Christian Service to United Methodist Women. She also served on the Tarkio School Board of Education. Although she was very active and faithful to her church, her family was the most important part of her life. She went to all of her children and grandchildren’s ball games and sporting events. Betty was known for giving other kids rides to summer baseball games, and could always be found in the stands keeping score and cheering on the kids. She especially enjoyed the basketball games. Betty served as Den Mother for 13 years; helping her husband Carl, with the Boy Scout program while he was Scoutmaster. She helped the scouts achieve their advancements in rank by holding weekly merit badge classes in her basement. Betty was instrumental in all four of her sons achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, along with numerous other boys in the Tarkio Troop #88, and was the first woman to receive the Otoe District Scouter of the Year in 1975. Betty and Carl were chosen Tarkio Citizens of the Year in 1974. She also enjoyed toll painting.

Betty was known for her cooking, and one of her greatest joys came from the large family gatherings, where there was always lots of fun and laughter. She left a wonderful legacy of memories to her family. Betty passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at Northview Manor Nursing Home in Tarkio at the age of 80 years.

Besides her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Carl; sister, Pearl Klassy, and infant brother, Merrill Oliver Burson, sister-in-law, Julie Burson. Survivors include her four sons, Carl G. Martin and his wife, Nancy, Omaha, Nebraska, Chris L. Martin and his wife, Jeanine, Casa Grande, Arizona, Carol (Frank) Martin and Craig A. Martin and his wife, Cheryl, all of Tarkio; six grandchildren, Mindy (Martin) Hoffman and her husband, Craig, Carl (Randy) Martin and his wife, Nicole, Jessica (Martin) Moyer and her husband, Matt, Matthew Martin and his fiance, Christi, D.J. Martin and Dillon Martin; two great grandchildren, Logan and Julia Marie Hoffman; three brothers, Orlando Burson, and his wife, Coleen, Euphrata, Washington, Robert L. Burson, Hopkins, Missouri, and Earl Burson, and his wife, Clara, Maryville; numerous aunts, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services:
10:30 am, Friday, April 24, 2009 at United Methodist Church, Tarkio.
Interment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Memorials: Tarkio United Methodist Church or Northview Manor, Tarkio.
Obituaries and online condolences: www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.