Martha "Marte" Vanderberg

MARTHA 'MARTE' JEAN VANDERBERG was born on February 16, 1933 to James and Helen (Connell) Canton in East Liverpool, Ohio. She received her education in the East Liverpool public school system and graduated from high school in 1950. Upon graduation, Marte worked for East Ohio Supply until joining the United States Marine Corps in 1955. Marte went through boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina and was transferred to the Marine Corps Supply Depot in San Francisco, California. While there, Marte met Jim Vanderberg and on June 30, 1956, the couple married in Reno, Nevada. Upon Marte’s honorable discharge, the couple moved to rural Jasper, Minnesota where they farmed and raised their three children, Joe, Al and Pat. In 1962, the family moved to Luverne where Marte continued to raise their children. Marte operated a day care until she became employed as a teacher’s aide in the Luverne Elementary School. She enjoyed the opportunity of shaping young people’s lives for the next 24 years. In 1990, she received the honor of ‘Friend of Education’. On July 13, 2017, Marte became a resident at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. On Thursday, February 1, 2018 she went to be with her Lord at the age of 84 years, 11 months and 15 days.

Marte was baptized and confirmed at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in East Liverpool. She joined the LCMS and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper. Marte currently was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was an avid reader and regularly attended the Rock County Library in Luverne. She enjoyed watching Cardinal sports for many years and even received the ‘Fan of the Year’ award. She was also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan. Marte loved the six winter vacations that she spent in Maui with Jim, sister, and friends. Her health limited her travel later in life, however, she enjoyed many years having morning coffee at McDonald’s with the “girls”.

Marte is lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Jim; two sons, Joe (Melinda) Vanderberg of Arlington, Texas, Al (Carla) Vanderberg of Spencer, Iowa; son-in-law, Steve Smedsrud of Luverne; sister, Ruth Keys of East Liverpool; two brothers, Jack (Debora) Canton of Massillon, Ohio and Bob Canton of Salem, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Brady Vanderberg, Casey Vanderberg, Zach Vanderberg, Caroline Vanderberg, Tony Smedsrud, Kynzie Smedsrud, and Chaz Smedsrud. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Pat Smedsrud (2016); parents; brother, Jim (Emma) Canton; and brother-in-law, Ronald Keys.