Martin Scholtus, 88, of Rose Hill, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Martin Edward Scholtus, the youngest son of eleven children born to Aart and Carrie (Horman) Scholtus, was born September 10, 1934, at his parents’ home south of Rose Hill, Iowa. Martin was raised on the family farm and attended country school. His father suffered a stroke during his first year at Rose Hill High School, requiring Martin to remain home to operate the farm. In 1955, Martin purchased the farm from his parents, and in 1960, he bought the old Douglas family farm south of Rose Hill. October 21, 1966, he was united in marriage to Kathleen K. O’Brien at the Rose Hill Community Church, and they made their home on the old Douglas farm. Martin continued farming while also taking a job with Mich Coal Company, where he worked from 1966 to 1973. From 1974-1979, they lived in a place east of Oskaloosa but returned to Rose Hill, where they have lived until the present time. In 1979, he began hauling livestock for many local farmers. And in 1985, he started working for Paul Franklin as a farm hand. Martin retired in 1997. Over the years, Martin also dug graves at White Oak Cemetery.
Martin loved living in the country and in his free time he enjoyed fishing and hunting deer and raccoon.
His family includes his wife, Kathleen Scholtus of Rose Hill, IA; his children: Teresa (John) Moses of Oskaloosa, Brenda Burris (Brad) of Newton, IA and Marty (Valarie) Scholtus of Rose Hill; two granddaughters: Alisha (Michael) Linder and Katlyn (Cody) Jones; a step-granddaughter, Nicole Anderson; two step-grandsons, Lucas and Jacob Anderson, and three great-grandsons: Caleb and Kaden Linder and Beckham Jones; a step-great-granddaughter, Isabella Doty; a brother-in-law, Richard Jenkins of Boone, IA; a sister-in-law, Carol Scholtus of Oskaloosa; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Martin was preceded in death by six sisters, Adrianna Harding, Johanna Van Polen, Carolyn Hoyt, Ida Irene Lane, Arlene Jenkins, and an infant sister, Irene; and four brothers: Gerrit, Art Marion, and Donald Scholtus.
Funeral services for Martin will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Michael Linder of the New Sharon Assembly of God church officiating. Visitation will begin after 11:00 a.m. on Friday, with the family present from 5-7 p.m. to greet friends. Interment will be at White Oak Cemetery following the funeral service. Memorials may be made in his name.
