Martha Padgett

Martha Padgett, 66, passed away on January 13, 2022, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. She was born October 21, 1955, the daughter of Weldon Lee Fraaken and Joyce Malone.

Martha met her husband, Don Padgett, as young teenagers through mutual friends and remained high school sweethearts just passing 50 years of marriage. They married November 21, 1971. Charles was their first born in 1973, Matthew came second in 1977, and then their third, Dawn, arriving in 1983. Martha loved her children and was filled with even more joy as grandchildren were added onto the family. She loved being surrounded by her family.

Martha spent majority of her working career at Principal Financial Group where she ended up retiring after 30 years. But when Martha wasn’t working or spending her extra time with kids, you could find her picking up some sort of new craft activity and then during the warmer months her and Don would be camping especially at the Iowa State Fairgrounds during fair time. It became a tradition for her, Don, and extended family to camp at the fair come every August. If you were lucky enough to know Martha, you knew of “her spots” to find her at the fair - “we’re on the bench…"

Martha is survived by her loving husband, Don; sons, Charles and Matthew (Jill) Padgett, and daughter Dawn Ortiguerra; grandchildren, Madisen, Chloe, Emilee, Caden, and Carly; sister, Joanne (Mark) Daumueller, brother, Mark (Julie) Fraaken, and step-brother Johnny Berry; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Weldon Lee Fraaken and Joyce Malone.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines on Sunday, January 23, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Martha.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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