Martha (Holstad) Charlson, age 85, of Lake Mills, Iowa died Monday, July 8, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills with the Rev. Kevin Mackey and the Rev. Roger Dykstra officiating. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills,

and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be at Salem Memorial Cemetery in Lake Mills.

Martha (Holstad) Charlson was born Oct. 8, 1916, in Winnebago County, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Anna (Solhiem) Singlestad.

On Oct. 12, 1938, she was united in marriage to Carl M. Holstad at Winnebago Lutheran Church in rural Leland, Iowa. Carl passed away in 1970.

On April 25, 1982, she was united in marriage to Joseph Charlson in Lake Mills.

Martha loved flowers and animals, particularly cats.

She loved visiting and spoke Norwegian fluently.

Martha is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Charlson of Lake Mills, Iowa; her children: Dave Holstad and his wife Judy of Lake Mills, Iowa, Eileen Taylor and her husband Charles of Ventura, Iowa, Harlan Charlson of Leland, Iowa, Jerry W. Charlson and his wife Bonnie of Leland, Iowa, and LaVonne

Peters and her husband David of Clear Lake, Iowa; her grandchildren: Carrie Parks and her husband Brian of Chicago, Ill., Angie Charlson of Mason City, Iowa, Brian Charlson of Leland, Iowa, Sarah Peters of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jonathan Taylor and Lindsey Taylor, both of Ventura, Iowa, Luke Peters of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Nicole Charlson of Leland, Iowa; three great-grandchildren: Miriah, Nathaniel and Devan Parks; along with several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Martha was preceded in death by her first husband, Carl, and her parents.