Martha Whitehead

Martha Marletta Whitehead died March 16, 2012 at the Northfield Retirement Center, Northfield, MN. Martha Hamry was born January 10, 1916 in Genevieve, Montana near Hinsdale.  She was the fifth of seven children born to Rudolph & Elma (Sefert) Hamry.  She lived on her parent's homestead until the age of 11 when the family moved to a farm near Kindred, ND.  She attended school in Kindred, graduating as valedictorian in 1934.

After moving to Minneapolis, she met MSgt Samuel E. Whitehead stationed at Ft Snelling, MN.  They married October 19, 1938 and lived in Ft Knox, KY until Sam was sent overseas for WWII.  During that time Martha moved back to Kindred with their two children.  Sam retired from the service in 1953 and the couple remained in Kindred until Sam died in 1989.  Martha moved to Northfield, MN in 1992 to be close to her daughter.  Since 1996 she lived in the Northfield Retirement Community.

Martha enjoyed being a mother & homemaker.  She was a member of the Kindred Lutheran Church, maintaining that membership throughout her time in Northfield.  She was a Sunday school teacher, church librarian, member of the Altar Guild and the Ladies Aid.  She loved to cook, sew, crochet, garden, read, play cards & bingo and do volunteer work.  She was also a devoted member of the American Legion Auxiliary.  After moving to the Northfield Retirement Community, she enjoyed attending services at the center's chapel and participating in Bible Studies.

Martha is survived by her son Samuel A (Mavis) Whitehead of Deerfield, IL, daughter Doris (Wayne) Erickson of Northfield, MN, Grandchildren Jeffrey (Kate) Whitehead and Jill (Corey) Kaufmann of Lindenhurst, IL, W. Dean (Amy) Erickson and Dana (John) Kuyper of Northfield as well as 9 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, brothers Loren, Kenneth, Gerald, Earl and Forest Hamry, one sister Pearl Skari and her grandson, Darrin Erickson.