Martha Lorenc Ashworth

Martha Lorenc Ashworth - Martha was born, December 10, 1915 in Ely, Iowa. She was raised on a farm with two older brothers and two younger sisters. After high school, she worked for a year and a half as a cook and maid to a wealthy real estate family. She enrolled in Business College but only attended for three months quitting when her mother passed away. She went home to keep house for her father and two sisters so they could finish high school. In 1936, she started work as a bookkeeper at a big hardware store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1942, she drove out to California with a cousin and worked at Carpenter Paper Co. in Los Angeles and then on to Plumb Tool Co., where she was frozen in her job for the duration of the war. After they were released in 1944, Martha and her sister, Olive, went to work in Yosemite National Park. While in Yosemite she befriended Juleschr(39) family and when he came home from the service, they fell in love. In April she made him travel back to Iowa where they were married. they honeymooned for two weeks traveling back to Yosemite. They had a family of two girls and one boy. In December 1949, they moved to Calistoga, CA, where Jule was transferred into the Calistoga Post Office. While her children where in school, Martha worked part time as a bookkeeper at Cal Mart and Allan Youngchr(39)s Grocery Store in Napa. After quitting the Napa store, she worked part time at Hurdchr(39)s Candles. Martha served as Treasurer for eighteen years at the Community Presbyterian Church, also many years as treasurer for the Calistoga Garden Club and St. Helena Womens Golf Club. She was active in Eastern Star and enjoyed playing golf. She is survived by her husband, Jule Ashworth of Windsor, CA. Loving mother of Linda Pugh and her husband John of Ripon, CA; David Ashworth of Redwood Valley, CA; and Gayle Eberhart of Calistoga, CA. Grandmother of 5 and great grandmother of 5. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Community Presbyterian Church,107 Third St., Calistoga, CA 94515 or to Sutter VNA & Hospice, 1110 No. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Arrangements entrusted to LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL, 4321 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 (707) 539-2921