Funeral Service for Martha Bernice Sanden, 100, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Mona Greseth and soloist will be John Rasmussen. Pallbearers will be Rafe Christopherson, Adam Groos, Jared Groos, Jason Groos, Ryan Sanden and Craig Sanden. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Martha's Relatives, Friends, & The Caregivers from Edgewood Vista and Tekakwitha Living Center. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. There will be visitation on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the Grace Lutheran Chapel from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with family present.
Martha (Arneson) Sanden died on October 14, 2013, at the Tekakwitha Care Center in Sisseton surrounded by her children. She was a faithful servant of the Lord and a wonderful wife, mother and friend.
Martha was born to Allen and Carrie (Jacobson) Arneson on August 21, 1913, on the family farm south of Rosholt, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Trondhjem Lutheran Church.
She graduated from Rosholt High School in 1931 and earned her teaching degree from Northern Normal in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1932. She taught in several country schools within Roberts County during the 1930s.
Martha married James Sanden on March 31, 1934, in Milbank, South Dakota. The couple farmed for several years and owned a local dairy in partnership with James' brother, Selmer. She worked in retail at Stavig Brother's Store and A&C Variety in Sisseton.
When James became sheriff of Roberts County. Martha was a tireless helper as a cook, bookkeeper, radio dispatcher, and matron, as well as a homemaker.
Martha was a widow for 29 years. She enjoyed time with her grandchildren, having circle meetings, reading, playing Scrabble and Upwords, visiting, working on her scrapbooks and keeping up with events in the news.
Survivors include: James and (Linda) Sanden of Sioux Falls, Sandra and (Stan) Christopehrson of Sioux Falls, Judy and (Gordie) Groos of Sisseton, and Mark and (Melanie) Sanden of Watertown, nine grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren, and her sister, Pauline Cole of Wheaton, Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, her husband, James, four brothers, and two sisters.