Martha B. Heinen, 93, of Seneca, KS, died early Friday morning, December 5, 2008 at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca, where she had been a resident for 10 years.

Martha was born on February 26, 1915 on a farm northeast of Kelly, to Louis and Maude Becker Huerter, one of eight children. She grew up in the Kelly community and attended St. Bede’s school through the eighth grade. After graduation, she went to Chicago, IL for a year to work for relatives. After returning home, she worked for neighbors and helped on the family farm.

On October 20, 1937 she married Joseph A. Heinen at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. They lived north of Kelly where she was a housewife. Martha also shared her family and home for several years as a caregiver for her father and sister. In addition, she worked as a cook at the Nemaha Valley High School; she also worked at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in the housekeeping department. In 1985, she retired at the age of 70.

After her husband’s death on November 26, 1976, she decided to leave their farm in Kelly and moved to Seneca in May of 1977. Martha loved spending time with her family, going to bingo, playing cards, sewing, and crocheting.

She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Seneca, a former member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Kelly. She also was a member of the NVCH Pitch Club.

She is survived by her son, John (Linda) of Louisburg; four daughters, Alice (Don) Wietharn of Topeka, Ruth (Wilfred) Ronnebaum of Seneca, Dolores (Lyle) Holthaus of Leawood, Helen (Gary ) Kramer of Topeka; two sisters, Mary Guth of Topeka and Loretta Niehues of Seneca; 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and a great-great granddaughter.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Joseph on February 16, 1950; a granddaughter, Janelle Ronnebaum on September 20, 1966; two sisters, Agatha Heinen and Cyrilla Huerter; and three brothers, Phil, Hubert, and Sylvester Huerter.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, December 7, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be at St. Bede’s Cemetery in Kelly.

Memorial contributions may be given in Martha’s memory to St. Bede’s Cemetery or St. Peter & Paul Church, and sent in care of the family.