Emma Jean (Foley) Martin, 16 Feb 1931 - 27 Mar 2025

MARTIN, FOLEY, GAFFEY, SKWARK, HANAVAN, FRANZEN, KNOKE, MOIR, PETERS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 4/2/2025 at 14:06:06

Emma Jean (Foley) Martin, age 94, left us for Eternal Life, surrounded by her family in her home in Blairstown on Thursday, March 27th, 2025.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30, Monday, March 31st at St John’s Catholic Church in Blairstown with Father Jacob Dunne as Celebrant. Visitation will be held at St John’s Catholic Church from 4-7 pm on Sunday, March 30th with a Rosary Service to immediately follow. Interment will be held at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown.

Emma Jean was born in Iowa City to John and Ursula (Gaffey) Foley on February 16, 1931. She enjoyed her childhood on their family farms in Hills and Parnell, Iowa before moving to Belle Plaine for her High School years. She then attended and graduated from Ottumwa Heights College with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation Emma Jean taught school in Marengo.

On June 21st, 1951, she and Harold John Martin, the love of her life, were united in marriage at St. Michael’s Church in Belle Plaine. They built their home in Blairstown where she has resided for almost 75 years. Emma Jean taught school in Blairstown and Harold was employed by Benton County State Bank.

Emma Jean was busy every day using her many talents, from school teacher and Realtor as well as Hospice Volunteer, member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Den Mother. She was an active member of St John’s Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society and CCD teacher of over 20 years.

Her most cherished role was as a loving wife to Harold and Mother to Stephen John, Mary Ellen and Ursula Joan. Emma Jean loved to garden, to bake and to sew. She will be remembered most for her love of her Faith and her “open door” day or night policy to her family, friends and neighbors as well as the freshly baked rolls that were always ready for a visit. She was also a master at Chinese Checkers and loved the game of Bridge.

Emma Jean is survived by her children; Stephen Martin of Cedar Rapids, IA; Mary Ellen Skwark of Marco Island, FL and Ursula ( William) Hanavan of Wilton, CT.

Her Grandchildren; Adam ( Courtney ) Martin; Arick Martin ( fiancé Emily Franzen); Francesca Skwark ( Eiji Mori); Alexander Skwark; Victoria Hanavan; Brittany Hanavan; Ryan Hanavan ( Lauren Knoke); Katherine Hanavan.
Her Great Grandchildren; Eli Ray Martin, Evan Martin, Emma Martin and Alessia Moir; Her sister Carolyn (William) Peters and her Sister-in- Law Mary Foley.

Emma Jean was Preceded in Death by her husband -Harold J. Martin; Son-in- Law - Dr. Janusz Skwark; Siblings and Spouses- Geraldine (John) Martin; Margie Ann Foley; Mary ( Ernie) Espinosa; Robert Foley and Thomas Foley.
Online condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.

Published in The Gazette on March 29, 2025.