Martha Cummings

Martha Jane Felter Cummings

July 7, 1923 – November 2, 2026

Martha Jane Felter Cummings, 103, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 2, 2026. She was born on July 7, 1923, in Van Meter, Iowa, to Dr. Allan Gordon Felter and Mary Juanita Reynolds Felter.

Martha grew up in Iowa and later attended the University of Iowa, where she met her future husband, Harold Cummings. They began their life together in Schenectady, New York, where Harold worked for General Electric and their first two sons, Stephen and Gordon, were born.

In 1947, the family moved to Wisconsin, where their third son, David, was born. Martha continued her education at Carroll College, earning a degree in education. She devoted her career to teaching children in three Wisconsin school districts, including seventeen years in the Elmbrook school system. Her commitment to helping others extended beyond the classroom through her volunteer work with scouting, Sunday School, and the Red Cross summer swimming program.

Martha and Harold shared 68 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered on family, friendship, and making memories together. After retiring in the early 1980s, they enjoyed traveling throughout the country in their motor home, golfing, and square dancing. In 1997, they purchased a second home in Naples, Florida, where Martha continued to live following Harold’s passing. In 2015, Martha moved to Freedom Plaza in Sun City Center, Florida, where she made many friends and enjoyed an active social life. She loved sewing, crocheting, swimming, working out, and playing duplicate bridge several times a week.

One of Martha’s secrets to living such a long and healthy life was that she was always in motion! She loved staying active and exercising and rarely sat still for long. Her energy, determination, and commitment to keeping moving were part of what made her so special and undoubtedly contributed to her remarkable longevity.

Martha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold Cummings; her son, Gordon Cummings; and her sisters, Mary (Gene) Wheeler of Naples, Florida, and Margaret (Walter) Freitag of Bellevue, Washington.

She is survived by her sons, Stephen Cummings (Suzanne) and David Cummings (Kathleen); her daughter-in-law, Pamela Cummings; her grandchildren, Brian Cummings, Laura Duncan (Chuck), Jeffrey Cummings (Grace), Carolyn Standarski (Eric), Kathryn Hunter (Ben), Matthew Cummings, and Joseph Cummings; eleven great-grandchildren: Skyler, Zechariah, Taylor (Lorelei), Bailey, Mason, Eric, Julia, Gretchen, Hazel, Elizabeth, and Lucas; and three great-great-grandchildren: Sammy, Erin, and Wyatt.

Martha leaves behind a beautiful legacy spanning generations and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation and Celebration of Life

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, November 18 at Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, 207 W. Main St., Wales, WI 53183. The family will receive guests beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the service following at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to one of Martha’s favorite charities, Habitat for Humanity, or to your local library or school in her memory.