Brenda June Berry Martin, 65, of Grinnell, IA passed away on September 20, 2024, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. A graveside service will follow the service at Hazelwood cemetery. Following the graveside service a luncheon will be held back at Smith Funeral Home.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, September 23, 2024, at Smith Funeral home in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to the Mayflower Human Needs Fund mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Brenda was born on June 11, 1959, in Grinnell to Gene H. and Dorothy H. (Foster) Berry. She grew up in Grinnell with her 7 siblings and graduated from Grinnell High School. Brenda cherished the 11 years she worked at the Mayflower Community dining department as a dietary aide. She retired in 2016. She will be remembered for her hard work, punctuality and kindness to those she worked with and served.

On October 23, 2005, Brenda was united in marriage to Mark Martin at the Poweshiek County Courthouse.

Brenda liked to sew and play bingo. She was proud of the teddy bears she won playing bingo, as you could see them displayed in her room. She enjoyed going to dances with Mark at the Malcom Auditorium and other surrounding communities. Working at the Mayflower always had a special place in her heart, as she cherished working with Scott Gruhn and the rest of the staff.

Brenda is survived by her husband Mark Martin of Grinnell; her son, Daniel Wells; her siblings, Vern Shook of Missouri Valley, Lorna (Jim) Paisley of Sturgis, SD, Joyce (Ed) Brown of Malcom, IA, Glen Berry of Brooklyn, IA, and Pam (Jeff) Paul of Grinnell; a sister-in-law, Barb Shook of Montour, IA; and many nieces, nephews, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

She is preceded in death by her mom and dad; her brother Verl Shook; sister-in-law, Grace Shook; nephews, Tom Brown, and Randy Paul; niece, Celest Shook; and mother-in-law, Beatrice Martin.