Martha A. Goedelmann was born June 18, 1922 to Otto and Helena (Gaitsch) Goedelmann at Red Bud, Illinois. Martha was baptized on July 9, 1922 by Pastor J.H. Hartenberger at St. John's Lutheran Church and attended school at St. John's Lutheran School. She was confirmed on April 5, 1936 and was faithful to her Lord throughout her life.

Martha remained with her parents helping with farm work until on a return bus trip from Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Redbud she met Marie (Schoettger) Ritterbush. Through the course of the conversation, Marie mentioned her bachelor brother, Duane. Correspondence between Martha and Duane started shortly thereafter, followed by visits to the family homes. On December 29, 1951 Martha and Duane were married in the Zion Lutheran Church at Ainsworth, Nebraska by Rev. Walter Hartman. They moved to the Schoettger ranch at Burton, Nebraska, working side by side until retirement in 1978 when they moved to Ainsworth after selling the ranch. There Martha enjoyed herself making quilts and finishing many of them with beautiful hand quilting skills. She taught Duane to embroidery and from that would make more quilts. When seen around town, the couple would be walking hand in hand.

Duane passed away in 1997. Following his death she moved to the Shepperd ranch at Mills, Nebraska, making that her home until June of 2012 when, for health reasons, she moved into the Ainsworth Care Center and passed away on November 26, 2012 at the age of 90 years. Martha was happy returning to ranch life, staying very active tending to the garden, taking care of the chickens and so many offers of just wanting to be of help. She will be remembered by those that knew and loved her as a gentle and quiet person.