Dr. Marty Errthum

A celebration of life for Dr. Marty Errthum, age 52, of Knoxville, will be held on Monday,
August 11th at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville (corner of Main and Harlan). A
brief service will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a celebration filled with laughter,
memories, a Chocolate Fountain and Taco Bar—just as Marty requested! A celebration
of life will also be held next summer in Michigan, before interring her ashes in Crystal
Lake Township Cemetery North.
Memorials may be made to her family, in care of her beloved husband, Troy Errthum.
Martha Carolyn Evans was born on February 2, 1973, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Tom and
Linda Evans. She grew up in Des Moines, attending Hubbell Elementary, Merrill Middle
School, and graduating from Roosevelt High School. She was a spirited student—active
on the dance squad, a cheerleader, and a tennis player.
Marty pursued her love for science at the University of Northern Iowa, where she
majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry on the pre-med track. It was during this
time that she met the love of her life, Troy Errthum, while rollerblading. The two married
on June 12, 1999, and were blessed with three boys: Travis, Trevor, and Tanner.
From 1997 to 2007, Marty worked at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in
Mitchellville as a Correctional Officer. She served on the Community Emergency
Response Team, was a Firearms Instructor, and received hostage negotiation
training—roles that reflected her courage, discipline, and sense of duty.
In 2007, Marty took a leap of faith to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.
She enrolled full-time at Des Moines University, where she dedicated herself to her
studies. She worked two years in the school’s morgue and completed a life-changing
medical rotation in South Africa. She chose to do her residency at Iowa Lutheran
Hospital in Des Moines in 2012—partly because the interview process included a
chocolate fountain, which delighted her.
Marty began practicing family medicine in Knoxville in 2015, serving patients at the
hospital and clinic, working with EveryStep Hospice, and serving as a Marion County
Medical Examiner. She was known for her intelligence, compassion, and deep
connection with her patients and colleagues. Marty left an indelible mark on everyone
she worked with and cared for.
Family and friends were the heart of Marty’s world. She cherished family trips to
Michigan, loved to fish and shoot, and had a passion for animals—especially whales.
One of her most joyful adventures was attending whale camp at San Ignacio Lagoon in
Mexico.
Marty’s quick wit, contagious laugh, and aggressively generous nature made her
unforgettable. She insisted her children never go without, and her friends never pay for
a meal.
Marty passed away on July 18th, surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in
death by her mother, Linda (2008); her father, Tom (2017); and her sister, Karen Harty
(2018).
She is survived by her husband, Troy; their sons, Travis, Trevor, and Tanner; her sister,
Jennifer Evans; and her adored dogs, Katara and Kyara. She also leaves behind
countless friends, relatives, colleagues, and patients who will carry her spirit with them
always.
Marty's life was a force of nature—full of love, brilliance, and bold generosity. She will be
deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the honor of knowing her.