Martha Ellen Sender of LaCrosse, WI, formerly of Ossian, IA, passed away surrounded by her loving family on January 20, 2008 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital after a brief illness.
She was born September 17, 1921 in Warren, IL, the daughter of Howard and Florence (Kevern) Reed. She attended school in Elizabeth, IL. During the World War II years, she worked at the Savanna, IL Ordinance Depot in the clerical department.
On March 3, 1943, she married Wayne W. Sender in the home of her parents. They lived in Stockton, IL for a short time, and then moved to Ossian, IA, where they made their home for forty-five years. After retirement, they lived in Sumner, IA for five years and then moved to LaCrosse, WI.
While in Ossian, Martha was a member of the Ossian Lutheran Church, Rebbeca Circle, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Martha was a longtime volunteer and member of the board for the Ossian Public Library. She also served on the Winneshiek County Election Board. She was a member of the South Winn Golf and Country Club.
Martha was a talented seamstress and homemaker. She was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles and playing cards with her grandchildren.
Martha and Wayne were the parents of three sons: Terry (Sue) of Elko, MN, John (Betty) of Cold Spring, MN, and Chuck (Mary) of Ossian IA; five daughters: Mary Katherine (John) Bromley of LaCresent, MN, Denise (Gordon) Yuska of Waterloo, IA, Lynn (Lores) Taylor of Rochester, MN, Laurie (Michael) Eicher of Waterloo, IA, and Sally (Mark) Smith of Sumner, IA. She is survived by twenty-three grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne on November 9, 2005, her parents and three sisters.
Her funeral will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 24, 2008 at the Ossian Lutheran Church, with burial to follow at the Ossian Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Schmitz Funeral Home in Ossian from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday and one hour prior to the funeral on Thursday.