09/12/2025
Our condolences to the family of Karla (Martenson) Creed
Karla Ann (Martenson) Creed, 67 of Naples, Florida, formerly Waterman, IL, passed away on September 6, 2025, at Avow Hospice Center in Naples Florida with her family by her side. She was born on October 8,1957, in Mendota, IL. to John and Mildred (Seggebruch) Martenson. She met Paul Creed, the love of her life. They were married on June 18, 1983, in Shabbona, Illinois. They have been each other’s soulmate for 42 years.
Karla graduated from Shabbona High School, class of 1975, where she enjoyed many extracurricular activities. Karla really enjoyed showing livestock and displaying her 4H sewing projects at the fair. Encouraged by her mother and father, Karla participated in girls’ sports, a relatively new thing at the time. As with everything she did, Karla excelled and earned a spot on the men’s golf team and the girls' soccer team. For soccer, she was awarded the Little 10 MVP for girls’ soccer her senior year. Her mother continually referred to her and her teammates as pioneers at the high school level. After high school, she attended Illinois State University in Bloomington, IL where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising. After graduating, she relocated to Chicago, IL, where she worked at Lytton’s clothing stores as a buyer and merchandiser of men’s clothes. She would move on to work for Karoll’s Red Hanger Shops and Madigan’s in the same capacity. When Karla and Paul decided to begin a family, she gave up her job to stay home with her children. While at home, she established a home daycare where she provided/enjoyed crafts, outdoor activities, playing music and helping them with their educational needs. She continued to do this for 18 years until her children graduated from high school. She then decided to substitute teach in the Indian Creek School district where she was able to use her own educational experiences to help children/young adults develop and have fun learning. After doing this for several years, she joined the family business, Martenson Turf Products. While employed at Martenson Turf Products, she became the Native Seed Specialist. She continued this role until her retirement in 2015.
During her life, Karla was no stranger to hard work, but still found time to enjoy the simple things. She enjoyed camping every weekend with her family and friends. Paul and Karla were always making new friends and developing relationships along the way. However, boating was her passion, so Paul and Karla sold the camper and bought a boat. She enjoyed boating and traveling along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and Lake Michigan. She became an excellent first mate and was an expert at traveling through locks safely and specializing in docking various boats. She was also a world class navigator; she was an active member of the Starved Rock Yacht Club in Ottawa, Illinois and the Naples Cruise Club in Naples, Florida. Her dream was to do the Great American Loop, traveling some 7,500 miles of waterway. Unfortunately, she was unable to achieve this dream due to her illness. Besides boating, she loved to sew and make beautiful clothes, upholstery, and curtains for her home. She also loved attending her children’s sporting and musical events and activities.
Upon Karla and Paul’s retirement, they relocated to Naples, Florida. They wanted to avoid the terrible Chicago winters and have year-round access to the water for boating. They had many trips to and from Nashville to visit Tyler and Brandon, and to Texas to visit Austin, Jessica and the grandchildren. She enjoyed the time playing with the grandchildren, the joy of her life, and being involved in their lives. Building an unbreakable bond with them was important to her, and she achieved it.
She is survived by her husband Paul Creed, their children Austin (Jessica) Creed, Tyler Creed, and Brandon Creed. Grandchildren: Jaclyn Creed, Hunter Creed, and Raelynn Creed; Brother Jeffery (Debra) Martenson, along with many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mildred Martenson, and brother Douglas Martenson.
She has requested to be cremated and to have a Celebration of Life at the farm where she grew up. The farm is located at 3537 Lee Road, Shabbona, Illinois 60550. The Celebration will be on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.
The family would like to thank the following for the care and support Karla received: Florida Oncology and Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Avow Palliative Care and Hospice Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Martenson Family Scholarship Fund hosted by the Dekalb County Community Foundation. This fund offers scholarships to seniors from Indian Creek High School for continuing education in the agricultural field.
