Martha Close

Former Iola resident Martha Belle Close, 90, of Pittsburg died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at Via Christi Hospital.

She was born Sept. 12, 1920, in Miltonvale, to Henry and Lizzy (Hart) Crane. She grew up in Miltonvale and worked on the family farm. After graduation from high school in 1939, she moved to Wichita and attended beauty school. Through the years she owned and operated several beauty shops.

On Oct. 19, 1947, she married Larry Close at her parents’ home in Clay Center. They settled in Iola and in 1955 built the L and M Truck Stop, which they operated until 1968. After selling the business, they moved to Pittsburg for several years and then to the Grand Lake area in Oklahoma where they started a bass boat manufacturing facility. In 1979, they moved to Butler, Mo., to be closer to family. In 1990, they moved back to Grove, Okla., to enjoy retirement on the lake. He died April 19, 2004. 

She enjoyed volunteering at Grove Hospital as a Cherry Red and also participated in many church activities. She enjoyed quilting and other handwork for which she won many blue ribbons. One of her favorite pastimes was bowling, which she enjoyed well into her 70s.

Survivors include two sons, Ron and his wife, Nancy, Pittsburg, and the Rev. Gary and his wife, Diane, Coffeyville; four grandchildren, Melissa Hotze and her husband, Todd, Allen, Texas, Ryan Close, Scottsdale, Ariz., Randy Close, Lawrence, and Rodney Close, Coffeyville; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Florence Albard, Delphos; and several nieces and nephews.

Two sisters, Mildred and Eleanor, and a brother, Paul, died earlier.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Brenner Mortuary  in Pittsburg. The Rev. Donald  Enright will officiate. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery in Fort Scott. 

Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where friends may call after 10 a.m. Sunday. 

Memorials to First United Methodist Church of Pittsburg may be sent to the funeral home, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS  66762. Online condolences for the family may be left at brennermortuary.com.