From Aunt Martha’s funeral program, February 4, 2015
Martha Ellen Goering Sundgren was born on Aug 13, 1925 to John B. and Jessie Schrag Goering on a farm northwest of Moundridge KS. As the eighth of sixteen children she learned early to help with the chores and duties of the home and the nurturing of younger siblings. Her early school days were at a one room country school named “Peaceful”. Eight months of lessons taught in English were followed by one month of Bible School in German. At the age of 10, following the death of her mother the family moved to Canton KS, operating a dairy farm, bottling and selling the milk and cream. During these years the family traveled weekly to the Eden Mennonite Church near Moundridge, KS and Martha was baptized there upon confession of faith at the age of fifteen.
As an active member of the Livewire 4-H Club she earned a trip to the Kansas State 4-H Congress in Manhatten, KS where she met her future husband Archer Sundgren Jr. Martha graduated from Canton High School in 1943. Courtship was interrupted by WWII and following his return from service they were married March 20, 1946. Archer attended Kansas Sate University in Manhatten using the GI Bill. After the devastating floods of 1951 they moved back to be with family in the Kipp, KS area. A couple years later and with three children in tow, Michael Archer, John William, and Martha Janelle, they moved a short distance west and established a home in Ellsworth, KS. A fourth child, Melanie Jolene, joined the family in 1955. In between the move to Ellsworth and Melanie’s arrival she underwent then “experimental” surgery to fuse her lower spine to correct a partially developed lower spine and ease lifelong pain. The prognosis was she potentially would never walk again. But walk she did, and then some!
In Ellsworth she and Archer enjoyed membership in the Presbyterian Church and served as Sunday school teachers and leaders of the Mariners, a young married couple’s organization in the Church. Family camping, and school activities as well as scouting and baseball were enjoyed by all. A stay-at-home-mom Martha opened a pre-school in the home for children with special needs. Those were happy years until health issues forced closure. In 1966 the family, less Michael who was serving in the USAF, moved to Lindsborg, KS where they operated the Swedish Bowl, a bowling center and the Greyhound Bus stop.
That venture ended in 1971 when a long hoped for opportunity arrived and they moved with Janelle and Melanie to Denver, CO. In Colorado they were active members of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Littleton, CO. They continued as Mariners, Martha taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and became a Church Elder. Martha turned her hobby and love of sewing into a very successful and much sought after bridal gown seamstress and retailer in bridal shops in and around Denver. Archer suffered a stroke and left her side March 30, 1992. Martha remained in Denver for several more years before moving back to Kansas due to health issues.
Martha is survived by her children; Michael, grandchildren Kerry and Joshua Garrett, great grandchildren Mason and Lizzy; and grandchildren Jessie and Mark Rodgers. John and Janet Sundgren; grandchildren Dana and Chris Preble, great grandchildren Audree and Averee; grandchildren Cybil and Sean Smith, great grandchildren McKenna and Ecksley; grandchildren John and Stacy Sundgren, great grandchildren Oliva, Sydney and Molly. Martha and LeRoy Hamburger and great grandson Christopher Perks. Melanie and Don Florine, grandchildren Vicki and Derik Dukes, and great grandchildren Erika Smith and Brandon Huff.
Brothers John (Orletta), Leonard (Delores), and Harry (Rozella) Goering. Sister Jessie Joan Goering Epp (Anton)), and sisters-in-law Ida, Hildred and Rosella Goering Brandt (Ray).
She was preceded in death by her husband Archer Sundgren, grandson Samuel Scott Perks, granddaughter Becky Florine. Sisters Elva Goering and Frieda Regier, and Brothers Walter, Alvin, Willard, Daniel, Herbert, Arthur, Ralph, James, and Larry Goering.
Martha was an industrious and resolute but loving and forgiving person. She always brought a thoughtful, positive and uplifting spirit into any group she was in. Our memories include her cinnamon rolls and homemade eggs noodles, they were to die for, and she loved to “flip” flapjacks whenever kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were around. She loved to play games; board games, card games, dominos, and of course Scrabble — and SHE KEPT SCORE.
She loved to participate and win at games — but she never kept score in life. She’s a welcome addition to Heaven.