Martha Doreen Littlejohn

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:37 pm

Martha Doreen Littlejohn, 90, of rural Decorah, died Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel, Minn. A memorial service is at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, with the Reverend Matt Larson officiating. Burial at a later date is in the Hesper Public Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel.

Martha was born July 28, 1925, in Washington, to John and Edith Long. She attended the University of Iowa for teaching and music. It was there that she met her future husband, William Littlejohn, who served in World War II. They were married Sept. 8, 1946. She taught in several communities including Lone Tree, Ottumwa, Lovilia and What Cheer, and Luverne, Minn. In 1960 they moved to rural Decorah, where she taught at the newly opened North Winneshiek School and later Mabel-Canton Schools. In the early years, she would also travel to the area country schools, teaching music out of a trailer. Martha gave piano lessons and was an excellent trombone player. She and Bill played in the Chatfield Brass Band, Canton Day Off Band,and Fort Atkinson Community Band. She was an active member of the Hesper Friends Church and Hesper Friends Women, participating in many activities, including singing in the Christmas cantata. Martha was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed her animals on the farm, reading, dancing and listening to and sharing music.

Martha is survived by her husband, Bill.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; and a sister.