Mary Lambertsen
February 10, 1924 ~ November 16, 2023
Mary Carol Lambertsen, 99, of Martelle, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Anamosa Care Center. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 9. Pastor Rodney Bluml and Pastor Carla Burge will officiate. Friends may greet the family following the service.
Mary Carol Plattenberger was born on February 10, 1924, to Luther and Leila (Barker) Plattenberger at their home in rural Mount Vernon. She was raised during the Great Depression, attending the little red brick Abby Creek country school in rural Linn County through 6th grade. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School and attended Iowa State University and Cornell College. Mary Carol was united in marriage to Ellis Lambertsen on July 15, 1945, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. They raised three sons on the home farm in Martelle where they farmed for many years.
Mary Carol was active in the Martelle community and was a friend to anyone in need. She was a member of the Martelle Methodist Church for over 60 years, and in later years, a friend of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa. After moving from the farm to Martelle, she, with Ellis's help, opened the Depot Bed and Breakfast and later the Corner Cottage, hosting guests from nearby and around the world. Post retirement, they moved to Cedar Rapids and following Ellis's death, Mary Carol resided at Woodland Park in Anamosa.
Surviving Mary Carol are her children, David Lambertsen of Fort Worth, Texas; Dan Lambertsen (Marilyn) of Martelle; and Doug Lambertsen of Evergreen, Louisiana.; grandchildren, David (Donna), Erik (Laura); Faye, Sondra (Matt), Evan (Erin), Shaun (Valerie), Tim (Betsy), Emily (Josh), Valerie, John; 25 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren; special nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ellis; grandson, Kent; daughter-in-law, Charlene; infant great-grandchild; and brother, Robert.
Mary Carol had a passion for befriending everyone she met and embracing each as a dear friend. Her door was always open. Above all, she cherished her family and they adored her. All who knew and loved Mary Carol will forever treasure her memory.
The family gives heartfelt thanks to Above and Beyond, Palliative Care, and the amazing staff at Woodland Park and Anamosa Care Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Above and Beyond Hospice, American Legion Post 13, or a charity of choice.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Mount Vernon
We love other eaches always.
You were a true friend, Marsha!
Mary Carol was a very special person and will be deeply missed. She has been a dear friend to me and my mother, Clara. I have texted and had phone calls with her often, and mom and I visited her as well. We are heartbroken to lose our friend, though our faith and hers give assurance she’s in a better place with God in heaven. I thank God for the gift of having this wonderful woman in my life. Our sincere sympathy to her family and all her many friends, especially Jim and Barb. Sincerely, Rosie (Clara’s daughter)
I became acquainted with Mary Carol when we moved to Meth-Wick and enjoyed every conversation we had. Her interest in others was apparent in the way she made each person feel special. She will be missed by all who knew her and all will be better human beings from having known her.
May family find peace knowing she lived a long and fruitful life…
Linda Andersen
Mary Carol was a dear beloved friend who when my mom moved into Woodland to a strange city for her as well she was greeted and made felt welcome by Mary Carol at that time. They shared stories about the titanic because of my working for many years at a place that sold clothes to the people from that movie to use in the movie so that was their thing Mary Carol and my mom Hilda Stoelk. Mary Carol even mentioned that in a nice letter when my passed. My mom passed just 1 year ago this Dec 2nd. Know this a sad time for all the family and Mary Carol will be deeply missed. Stopped to see her a few times, sometimes she was resting but did send a card and letter inside to let her know she was thought of often. So sorry for your loss. Great lady!
What an icon and sweet lady. I don’t think she ever met a stranger, she would talk to anyone and what a smile. She was one friendly lady and will be missed by so many as well as you all. Always think of her with a smile as that is how I will remember her.
Sympathy to you all,
Annamae Baker
It was easy to understand why Mary Carol was the homecoming queen at Mt Vernon HS. As you grew to know her, it was also easy to understand that her inner beauty exceeded her physical beauty. She was a warm, caring, and inviting human being who was at once welcoming and loyal. She was a role model to many girls( including me) growing up in the Martelle community. Her handwritten letters meant so much to me at times of family sorrow and tragedy. I will always cherish her grace and kindness. I know the memories of her will console you in her loss. She was truly a wonderful woman.
Life with Mary Carol was always sunshine and shining stars. Thinking of her is still that same feeling – New trees in honor of her is very special