Obituary

On January 25, 2026, Martha Walker Stoeltzing Vansell, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born on December 12, 1937, in Poplarville, Mississippi, to the Reverend and Mrs. Barney Walker, Martha Jane was the youngest of six and beloved baby sister to her siblings.

After graduating from Tunica County High School in 1955, she attended Bob Jones University where she studied Home Economics and was the Sunday School Secretary of the student body. She also met her future husband Bob there. She married her “gentle giant” Robert August Stoeltzing on February 2, 1958. They spent much of their life together near his hometown in Johnson County, Kansas, and later moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Their marriage was a beautiful example of faithful love until his passing in 2001.

Martha later married Bill Vansell on November 7, 2010. She felt very blessed to have experienced marital love twice in her life and was welcomed with open arms by the Vansell family.

Martha devoted her life to the steadfast service of God and her family. As the mother of three sons and a daughter, she was always ready for fun with a sparkle in her eyes. She was truly her children’s “Marvelous Mother Martha.”

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Bob Stoeltzing, her second husband Bill Vansell, her parents Barney Walker Sr. and Norma Mayfield Walker, sisters Justine Walker Richardson and Virginia Walker Masson, and brothers Barney Walker Jr. and Pat Walker.

She is survived by her dear sister Valda Walker Miller, sons Ken Stoeltzing (Christine), Bryan Stoeltzing (Angie) and Craig Stoeltzing (Michal Joy), daughter Dana Stoeltzing McIlwaine (Rob), twelve grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Matthew 25:23

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and a service at 1:00 p.m. at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, with a private family Graveside at Mount Moriah Cemetery.