Martha C. Wittfoth

MARTHA CHRISTINA WITTFOTH was born to Gust and Emma (Hasch) Wischmann on February 4, 1925 on a farm near Holland, Minnesota where she was raised. She was baptized on September 13, 1925 at Aetna Lutheran Church in Ruthton, Minnesota and confirmed there on June 5, 1938. She attended school in District #7 and then high school in Ruthton, Minnesota for two years. Upon completion of her education, she worked at her father’s cafe in Holland. On October 14, 1943, she was united in marriage to George Wentzel at the Episcopal Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone and Martha worked at Armour’s. On October 25, 1944, George died in France while serving in World War II. After his death, she began working at the Eagle Caf. On March 16, 1946, she was united in marriage to Albert Wittfoth at First Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they continued to live in Pipestone and Martha worked at Sid and Min’s Caf for ten years. In 1965, she became employed at the S&L Department Store. After her retirement in 1985, she continued to live in Pipestone. On Thursday, August 23, 2012, Martha died at the Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 87 years, six months and 19 days.

Since 1940, Martha was a member of First Lutheran Church of Pipestone where she was active in the Love Circle. She enjoyed quilting at the church. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and served as its President in 1962. She was also a member of the hospital auxiliary. She helped with the school census and volunteered for 20 years at the Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone. Her favorite times where spent visiting her children and traveling to New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Washington, DC, Scotland and Germany. She also enjoyed gardening and caring for flowers and plants.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Janice Reemtsma and her husband Walter of Algona, Iowa, Ronald Wittfoth and Allison of Rochester, Minnesota, Linda Winness of Pipestone, Minnesota and June McGowen of Ruthton, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Silva and her husband Ted of Cross Lake, Minnesota; one brother, Robert Wischman and his wife Lynda of Scotland, UK; and sister-in-law, Hilda Wischmann of Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; one great-granddaughter; her parents; five sisters, Marie Arndt, Bertha Carson, Ella Schalow, Esther Carstensen and Gladys who died as an infant; three brothers, Richard Wischmann and twin brothers who died in infancies; and her special friend, Alvie Borman.