Obituary: Martha Mitchell

Martha Joan (Haug) Mitchell, the daughter of Martin and Alice Johnson Haug, was born on April 5, 1924 at Madelia Hospital, Madelia, MN in Watonwan County. She grew up on the Haug family farm, rural Madelia, and attended Rural District 29 and graduated from Madelia High School. After graduation in 1942, Martha became the first woman to work for the LaSalle Farmer’s Grain Company as a bookkeeper. Martha was united in marriage to C. Winston Mitchell on February 24, 1945 in the Air Force Chapel, LaJunta, Colorado. Following Winston’s discharge from the Air Force they

moved the Haug family farm and farmed until their divorce in 1970. Martha also worked as a secretary for the U.S.D.A., the U.S. Air Force, the Presbyterian Church of Madelia and the Madelia Insurance Company. Throughout her 23 years of service at Farmers State Bank of Madelia, she held various positions including becoming the first woman bank officer in

Southwestern Minnesota. She moved to Chisago Lakes, MN in 1998 and resided there until 2004 when she moved to Fulda, MN. Martha passed away at the Avera Doherty Hospice House on Friday, October 17, 2008 at the age of 84. Her faith life included participating as a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Madelia, MN, First Presbyterian Church of Madelia, MN, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Fulda. Martha was a life member of the Watonwan County Historical Society, a 57-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, a 58-year member of the Madelia/St. James Ladies Auxiliary

V.F.W. She was a lifetime supporter and leader of the Girl Scouts, a Sunday School teacher, and a community leader serving on various boards. Martha loved traveling, the Northshore, camping, car rides, collecting bird figurines and rocks, writing letters and sending cards, and baking her many “treats” especially those caramel corn flake drops. Most of all she cherished time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her brother, Charles and his wife, June of Sleepy Eye, MN; son, Bill and his wife, Kristi of Fulda, MN; son-in-law, Neil Roberts of Worthington, MN; three grandchildren, Jared Mitchell of Fulda, MN,

Stacey and her husband, Steve Bruce of Valley Springs, SD, Grant Roberts and his partner, Jami Spadino, of Humboldt, SD; four great-grandchildren, Logan and Allyson Bruce, Cody Spadino and Alexis Roberts; five nieces and three nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Nancy Roberts, and grandson Lucas Mitchell.

Memorial Services: Pfingsten Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Fulda, MN at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 20, 2008 with the Rev. Mark Yackle-Juleen officiating. Memorial service in Madelia at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at the Trinity Lutheran Church. The honorary pallbearers are Cathy Sletten, Cindy Seifert, Julie Sprenger, Jan Grunig, Mary Anderson, Doug Haug, Mark Haug and Craig Settem. Interment at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Madelia, MN.

Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 7 PM at the Pfingsten Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Fulda and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Sign guestbook online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.

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