Martha A. (Goedelmann) Schoettger

Martha A. Goedelmann was born June 18, 1922 to Otto and Helena (Gaitsch) Goedelmann at Redbud, Illinois. Martha was baptized on July 9, 1922 by Pastor J.H. Hartenberger at St. John's Lutheran Church, and attended school, at St. John's Lutheran School. She was confirmed on April 5, 1936 and was faithful to her Lord throughout her life.
Martha remained with her parents helping with farm work until on a return bus trip from Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Redbud, she met Marie (Schoettger) Ritterbush. Through the course of the conversation, Marie mentioned her bachelor brother, Duane. Correspondence between Martha and Duane started shortly there after, followed by visits to the family homes. On December 29, 1951 Martha and Duane were married in the Zion Lutheran Church, at Ainsworth, Nebraska by Rev. Walter Hartman. They moved to the Schoettger ranch at Burton, Nebraska working side by side until retirement in 1978, when they moved to Ainsworth after selling the ranch. There Martha enjoyed herself by making quilts and finishing many of them with beautiful hand quilting skills. She taught Duane to embroidery and from that would make more quilts. When seen around town, the couple would be walking hand in hand. Duane passed away in 1997. Following his death she moved to the Shepperd ranch at Mills, Nebraska, making that her home, until June of 2012 for health reasons moving into the Ainsworth Care Center, passing away on November 26, 2012 at the age of 90 yrs. Martha was happy returning to ranch life staying very active, tending to the garden, taking care of the chickens, and so many offers of just wanting to be of help. She will be remembered by those that knew and loved her as a gentle and quiet person.
Martha was preceded in death, by her parents, Otto and Helena, parents-in-law, Frank and Nora Schoettger, step-sister, Vera (Goedelmann) Wirth, step-brother Alvin Goedlemann; Nieces, Elsie (Wirth) Rowold, Pauline(Wirth) Prescher and husband Elmer, Carol (Wirth) Tharp and husband Jim, sisters-in-law, Ella Shepperd and husband Doug, Bernice Tuton and husband Dewitt, Marie Ritterbush and husband Ernie, Thelma Horst and husband Pete. Brother-in-law, August Schoettger and wife, Edna, nephew, Gary Tuton and wife Glenda, and husband Duane Schoettger. She is survived by six nephews, Kevin Schoettger and wife Maxine of Springview, Nebraska, Eldon Ritterbush and wife Kathy of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stan Tuton and wife Ann of Mills, Nebraska, Larry Shepperd and wife Carol of Mills, Nebraska, Garth Schoettger and wife Virginia of Clay Center, Nebraska, and Gene Horst and wife Ramona of Centralia, Washington. Four nieces, Lucille McElroy of St. Louis, Missouri, Connie Rice of Lodi, California, Yvonne Guilfoil and husband Arnold of Rosehill, Kansas, and Ann Mcgown and husband Mick of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sixteen great-nephews, Roger Prescher and wife Angie of Waterloo, Illinois, Craig McElroy of Florissant, Missouri, Herbert Rowold of Carterville, Illinois, Rodney Schoettger and wife Darla, David Schoettger and wife Dawn, Doug Shepperd and wife Kim, Jeff Tuton and wife Linda, David Tuton and wife and Von, Mark Tuton and wife Evangeline, Michael Ritterbush and wife Teri, Craig Ritterbush and wife Pam, Todd Ritterbush, Peter Horst and wife Sarah, Howard Guilfoil, Mack Megown, and Chad Schoettger and wife Shelli. Thirteen great-nieces, Nancy Prescher of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sharon Henke of Redbud, Illinois, Connie (Schoettger) Higginson and husband Chuck, Jaci (Shepperd) Carlisle and husband Tom, Sara (Shepperd) Frederick and husband John, Elizabeth (Shepperd) Frank and husband Kory, Christina (Ritterbush) Wilhelm and husband Ryan, Brenda (Tuton) German and husband Eric, Amy (Tuton) Carr and husband Jeff, Lori (Tuton) Forbes and husband Bob, Shantel (Horst) Hodson and husband Ryan, Sharon Guilfoil, Megan (Guilfoil) Rice and husband Ryan, Mindy (Megown) Lloyd and husband Steve, Suzanne Schoettger, and Julie (Schoettger) Masek and husband Bryon.
Funeral services were held on Friday, November 30, 2012 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burton, Nebraska. Officiating the services were Pastor Bill Serr and Pastor Georg Williams. Music was provided by Sandra Heerten. Congregational selections were, "Jesus Savior, Pilot Me", "I'm But A Stranger Here", and "Silent Night." Pallbearers were, Duane Swim, Ron Braun, John Thiede, Ron Heerten, Clint Focken and Darrel Olson. Burial was held at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Springview, Nebraska. Memorials were suggested to the Grace Lutheran Church of Burton. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was in charge of the arrangements.