Artis E. Wansley 03/23/2020
December 4, 1931 - March 23, 2020

Artis E. Wansley, 88, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Monday, March 23, 2020, at The Willows of Marshalltown, where her earthly life ended and at which time she returned to her maker, perfect once again. A celebration of life will be held on September 28, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Grimes Farm in Marshalltown. Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. We encourage you to leave online condolences for the family at www.andersonfhs.com.

Artis Elaine Martin was born December 4, 1931, in Madrid, IA, to Frank Garwin and Etha Marie (Alexander) Martin. The nickname, Arti, came from her maiden last name, M"arti"n. She enjoyed being active in school as a cheerleader, participating in the arts with acting, oil painting, and sculpting. On October 11, 1954, Arti married the love of her life, Vernon "Red" Wansley, and they set up their home in Marshalltown. After meeting Red, Arti learned a lot about the other "arts"...fishing, hunting, trapping, skiing, and golf. Having no children of their own, Arti and Red borrowed and cherished children of all ages. A free spirit and a gifted photographer, Arti's life was marked by the joy and love of her faith in the Lord, her friends, her beloved Schnauzers, and her town. She was an active volunteer in her community and had a passion for caring for God's creatures.

While in junior high, Arti worked for Paul Seymod, who had an aerial photography business. He would fly the plane over farmsteads and Arti would hang out the cockpit and "click the shutter". She helped process the film and hand color the black and white prints. In high school, Arti was exposed to photography while working at Ken's Studio and later graduated from Winona School of Professional Photography. Arti was hired as an assistant manager of the photo lab and industrial photographer for Lennox Industries Inc. in 1964. At the time, OSHA has some concerns. "They thought a woman in the factory was too distracting." Arti was the first woman employed as an industrial photographer in Marshalltown. At the time, industrial photography was a man's field and felt she had to prove she was as good and as valuable as a man, so she never refused an assignment. In 1980 to 1986, Arti kept the corporate books for Doctors Park North and South.

Arti's memberships included Elmwood Country Club, Izaak Walton League, Community Concerts, the 20th Century Club, PEO (Chapter NU), and the Marshalltown Garden Club. She helped organize the first Riverside Cemetery Walk, helped organize garden tours for the garden club, and her beautiful backyard garden was included on some of these tours. Arti's hobbies and interests included gardening, bee keeping, fishing, and civic organizations, and she was never happier than when she was outside.

In eternal life, Arti is reunited with her parents, Etha Marie (Alexander) Martin and Frank Garwin Martin; her sister, Cheryl June Martin Todd and brother-in-law Robert Todd; brother Ronald Lee Martin; sister-in-law Lois Patricia Ream Martin; a niece and nephew; and many loving friends. It is true that they are dancing in heaven at the reunion of Red and Artis Wansley, and their epitaph will read... "We had a wonderful time!"

Tributes