Martin "Marty" Paul Zylstra

Martin “Marty” Paul Zylstra, 79, passed away November 19, 2023, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

Marty was born at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa on March 27, 1944, to Harvey and Mary (Reese) Zylstra, and was raised by his father and stepmother, Nellie Bird. On June 7, 1964, he married the love of his life Sara Sue Downing at the Eldon Christian Church in Eldon, Iowa.

He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines in 1962. He received his Graduate degree in Accounting from the American Institute of Business. Marty enjoyed a successful career, serving as Audit Manager of the Area Community Colleges for the State of Iowa Auditor’s Office for many years. Following his employment with the State of Iowa, he had a successful accounting and tax business until his retirement in 2011.

Marty was initiated into the Independent Order of Odd Fellows on November 10, 1990, and was a faithful member of Fort Des Moines Lodge #25 in Des Moines. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa from 2000-2001 and was elected Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 2010, where he served until the time of his death. During his tenure with the Grand Lodge of Iowa, he was instrumental in major projects of the Order including major contributions to the Mercy College of Health Sciences scholarship fund for healthcare students, a dedicated room at the Ronald McDonald House at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, emergency equipment for the Urbandale Fire Department, and body cameras for the Urbandale Police Department along with numerous other community service projects throughout the state of Iowa. He received the Meritorious Service Award from the Grand Lodge of Iowa in October 2014 for outstanding service to the Grand Lodge of Iowa. He and his wife, Sue, served as the Planning Committee Chairs for the Grand Lodge of Iowa Annual Sessions for many years. He and Sue also served as Co-Chairs for the Testimonial Weekend honoring Michelle Heckart, Sovereign Grand Master, in November 2022 and the Sovereign Grand Lodge Annual Communication in August 2023.

Marty was initiated into the Rebekah Assembly of Iowa Independent Order of Odd Fellows on February 4, 1993, and was a member of Golden Star Rebekah Lodge #352 in Des Moines, having served in most elected offices including Noble Grand and most recently as Treasurer until the time of his death.

He was a member of Bloomfield United Methodist Church in Des Moines. His hobbies included square dancing, home improvement projects, cooking, hunting, fishing, and hosting holiday celebrations for his family.

Marty is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Sue; siblings Elizabeth Mulvihill of Washington, Christine Aschan of California, and Susan Aschan of California and many nieces and nephews. He was loved by all his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother; and his brothers Carl Aschan, Gary Sekin, and Bernard Zylstra.

The family will greet friends on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Des Moines United Methodist Church, 6205 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. Marty will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ronald McDonald House at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center in loving memory of Marty.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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