Martha Colleen (Kerr) Carruthers

Martha “Korkee” Colleen (Kerr) Carruthers passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on October 13, 2024, at Hospice House in West Burlington, IA. After a courageous battle with cancer, she went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mediapolis Global Methodist Church.  Burial will be held at Fellows Cemetery in Keosauqua. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Mediapolis.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice House of West Burlington, Mediapolis Ambulance Services or the Mediapolis Public Library.  Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 

Korkee was born on January 1, 1953, to Kenneth and Betty Jo Kerr in Keosauqua, IA. Her family moved to Brownsville, TN, when she was in elementary school, but they later returned to Iowa, where she graduated from Van Buren High School. She attended Parsons College—famously quipping that she “shut it down” when the college closed while she was a student—and later attended the University of Iowa. On June 5, 1976, Korkee married the love of her life, Fred Carruthers, the “cute blond-haired boy” she had first met in kindergarten. Together, they welcomed two children, Curtis and Carrie. Korkee cherished spending time with family and friends, especially visiting Tennessee to see her beloved grandchildren.

Korkee was a gifted musician and director. Before she was old enough to drive, she became a fixture at Mt. Hamill Tap, entertaining locals by singing and playing the organ. Her talent quickly earned her a growing audience, and she went on to participate in numerous televised telethons for cerebral palsy, alongside Hollywood A-listers, delighting viewers with her performances. Her signature numbers included "Rocky Top," "The Auctioneer Song," and "I've Been Everywhere." A natural on stage, Korkee starred in notable roles such as Dolly in Hello, Dolly! and Annie in Annie Get Your Gun, the latter with Fred playing opposite her.

Korkee found the greatest joy in nurturing the talents of others. For many years, she directed the choir at Mediapolis First United Methodist Church, led the Mediapolis Community Theater, and organized various community-based musical productions. Both adults and children loved performing under her direction because she saw potential in them that they often didn't see in themselves.

In 1980, Korkee and Fred purchased Carruthers Pharmacy, where they faithfully served the Mediapolis community for 40 years. Alongside the demands of the business, Korkee also opened the first aerobics studio in Mediapolis, called Med Club, located in the back of the pharmacy.

Despite facing significant health challenges throughout her life, Korkee’s sense of humor and grit never wavered. Her doctors and nurses often remarked at how miraculous her life truly was. Her steadfast faith and love for her family fueled her determination, showing the world that God is greater than any hardship.

Korkee is survived by her husband, Fred, of Mediapolis; her children, Curtis Carruthers of Chattanooga, TN, and Carrie Carruthers of Burlington, IA; her grandchildren, Evelyn, Charlotte, and Gretchen Carruthers of Chattanooga, TN, and their mother, Sally Lesh Carruthers; her sisters, Connie (Bill) Cay of Fairfield, IA, and Kathy Manning of Keosauqua, IA; her brother, Jim (Sue) Kerr of Keosauqua, IA; her sisters-in-law, Sue Gilchrist of Burlington, IA, Deb Kirchner of Keosauqua, IA, and Dixie Carruthers of San Diego, CA; her brothers-in-law, Dick Carruthers of Rancho Mirage, CA, Dan (Paula) Carruthers of Valencia, CA, and Steve (Nedra) Carruthers of Lee’s Summit, MO; her aunt, Ona “Tink” Lowery of Tupelo, MS; many adoring nieces and nephews; and the family of the generous lung donor, whose gift extended her life and brought immense joy to her loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Kim Keller; her brothers-in-law, George Manning, Craig Gilchrist, Darrell Carruthers, Paul Keller, and Potter Overstreet; her sister-in-law, Charlotte Overstreet; and her nephews, Billy Cay and Rollie Overstreet.

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