Mrs. Martha Leonard Daetwyler
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Mrs. Martha Leonard Daetwyler

  • August 4, 1924 - February 1, 2012
  • Columbia, South Carolina
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Memories & Candles

“Martha & Det were friends and neighbors for many years. Martha was a lovely lady, with many talents. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and...Read More » ”
1 of 12 | Posted by: Missie and Dick Day - Columbia, SC

“Thinking of you and your family at this time and celebrate your Mom's wonderful life with you. Sincerely, Bonnie deMontmollin Boland A.C. Flora...Read More » ”
2 of 12 | Posted by: Bonnie deMontmollin Boland - SC

“Dear Family, You are the great legacy of Martha and Daet, and we send you our heartfelt condolences. Our togetherness at USC during the 60's and 70...Read More » ”
3 of 12 | Posted by: Podie Brunton - West Columbia, SC

“Martie, I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Diane Medlin Tietz ”
4 of 12 | Posted by: Diane Medlin Tietz - Canton, GA

“Thanks for all the care and support you gave us. ”
5 of 12 | Posted by: Nelda and Paul McCreery - SC

“Mike, so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Please know that your old friends are thinking of you and your family during this very difficult...Read More » ”
6 of 12 | Posted by: Mark & Chris Rivkin - Decatur, GA

“Martie, I am sorry to hear about your mother's passing. You obviously inherited her beautiful smile. Hope you are doing well. Warm regards, Linda ”
7 of 12 | Posted by: Linda Shull Adams - Waco, TX

“Martha was a warm and loving lady and we will miss her!!!!! Bill & Karin Easley ”
8 of 12 | Posted by: Bill & Karin Easley - SC

“Dear Marty, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I can see where you got your beauty. Lee ”
9 of 12 | Posted by: Lee McAden Robinson - Comfort, TX

“Martha was a Charter Member of the University of South Carolina Chapter of the DAR. She was a great encourager to all of us in the chapter. We will...Read More » ”
10 of 12 | Posted by: Catherine McBroom - Chapin, SC

“Martha will be sadly missed. She was a dear sweet lady and a very important part of Mama Margies life at the Presbyterian Home. They were friends...Read More » ”
11 of 12 | Posted by: Bert Weaver - Cayce, SC - friend

“The staff of Dunbar Funeral Home extends deepest sympathy to the Daetwyler family. ”
12 of 12 | Posted by: Joey Tanner - Columbia, SC


COLUMBIA, SC - Martha Leonard Daetwyler died peacefully February 1. She resided at the Presbyterian Home in Lexington, SC.
Born August 4, 1924 at the Leonard family home in Reidville, SC, she was the daughter of the late Agnew William Leonard and Mary Kilgore Leonard. She met her future husband, Bernard A. 'Daet' Daetwyler, native of West Virginia, in 1943 at Winthrop College where she was a student and he was an Army Air Corp cadet. While a student at Winthrop she was inducted into Phi Upsilon Omicron, honorary home economics sorority, and was on the student government council. Martha and Daet were married December 21, 1946, following his service in the Pacific Theater during the World War II.
After graduating from Winthrop College, Martha took graduate classes at Davis and Elkins College, in Elkins WV, and at the University of South Carolina. She worked as an Assistant Home Demonstration Agent in Kershaw County. She taught in public and private schools in West Virginia and South Carolina.
Martha was a charter member of the University of South Carolina chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served in several positions in the DAR. She served as President of the Cherry Laurel Garden Club, as President of the Columbia Sailing Club Auxiliary, and President of the Cosmopolitan Club. She also served her community on the State Board of the Kidney Foundation. She is remembered for her love of playing bridge and continued to play with friends at the Presbyterian Home.
A Presbyterian her whole life, Martha grew up in Antioch Presbyterian Church near Reidville, SC, and was a member of Shandon Presbyterian Church since 1954. She served as a Deacon and on numerous committees in the church, including the Pulpit Committee, Secretary and Treasurer of the Women of the Church, the Master Plan Committee, and for many years as Chair of the Shandon Presbyterian Church Decorating Committee. Martha also served as Secretary for the Congaree Presbytery Women.
Martha was a homemaker, raising two children. She is fondly remembered by her grandchildren as their favorite bocce ball partner on the summer beach trips and as the wonderful family bread baker. The memories of Grams in the kitchen will always remain in their hearts.
Surviving are her daughter Martha L. Daetwyler and granddaughter Amanda Irion, both of San Francisco; son Michael (LtCol USAFR retired) (Cathie Kiester) of Colorado Springs, their children Christopher (Rachel Crawford) of Columbia, Anna Morgan (Micah) of Colorado Springs, Creighton [USAF Italy]; great-granddaughter Olive; and sister-in-law, Anna Jean Daetwyler Lunde (Norman). In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her three sisters, Mary Leonard Hassell (John), Frances Leonard Rabenau, Edna Leonard Hodges (Robert); and a brother, William Agnew Leonard (Katherine).
Visitation will be 4 – 6 PM Friday, February 10, 2012 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, 3926 Devine St. in Columbia. There will be a private graveside service in Greenlawn Memorial Park at 1:00PM Saturday, February 11, 2012. The memorial service will follow at 2:00PM at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shandon Presbyterian Church or Thornwell Home for Children, 302 S. Broad Street, Clinton, SC, 29325. http://www.thornwell.org/