Martha Loretta Longstreet, daughter of Michael and Mary Laughlin, was born September 8, 1909 in Council Bluffs, Iowa and passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at Garden View Care Center where she was a resident. Loretta was ninety-seven years old. She graduated from high school from St. Francis Academy in Council Bluffs in 1926. After graduation she attended and graduated from Boyles Business School in 1927, a woman ahead of her time. She moved to Shenandoah and began working in the mail order department of Earl May Seed Company. Later she became the office manager of Famous Poultry and Hatchery Farm. On December 21, 1938, she was united in marriage to Rex T. Longstreet in Imogene, Iowa. In 1942, she became secretary to the president of Henry Field Seed Company. Later, they were blessed with the birth of two sons, Michael Charles and John Kenneth. In 1955, Rex purchased Tarpenning Insurance Agency, which then became Rex T. Longstreet Insurance and Real Estate. Loretta became the manager for both businesses. After a long career of working along side each other Rex and Loretta sold the insurance business and continued to work on real estate business from their home. She and Rex were honored by the local chapter of SCORE as Small Business Owners of the Year, for their faithful service to the community over the span of almost fifty years. Loretta was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah, Iowa.


Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers: Leo, William, Frank and Bernard Laughlin and her sisters Mary Ellen (Sister Loretta) and Stella Maher. She is survived by her son Michael C. and his wife Gloria of Columbus, GA, son John K. and his wife Ann of Shenandoah, granddaughter Stephanie O'Dell of Bloomington, MN, grandson Toby Longstreet of Grand Rapids, MI, granddaughter Angela Buchans and husband Bartley of Columbus, GA, granddaughter Julie Shehane and husband Jason of Columbus, GA, great-grandchildren Ashton and Patrick Edwards of Columbus, GA. She will also be greatly missed by her favorite companion, Mrs. Beasley.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah, Iowa. Celebrants for the service were Rev. Vern Smith and Rev. Mr. El Stephen Rallis. Lector was Blaine Maher. Kim Troxel played the organ. Song Leaders were Sue and Tommy Hanna. Musical selections included "Amazing Grace", "Because He Lives" and "Beyond the Sunset". Attending the memory register was Mary Lightfoot and caring for flowers was Ann Owens. Frank and Jerry Laughlin were ushers for the service. Altar servers were Hanna and Amy Fursa. Honorary casket bearers were Jim Burton, Gregg Connell, Ed Dwyer, Emil "Bud" Kesterson, Justin Owens, Kraig Rallis, Doug Salmon, Carroll Skalburg and Leroy Spargur. Casket bearers were Toby Longstreet, James M. Martin, Sr., Michael "Bud" Laughlin, Marty Laughlin, Kris Rallis and Dan Salmon. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah, Iowa. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston .