Martha Ellen Sturm was born in Stark county, Ill., December 21, 1860, and died at the Patterson Memorial hospital June 19, 1946 at the age of 85 years, 5 months, and 19 days.

She moved to Iowa with her parents when a small girl, where she grew to womanhood. In August 1878 she was married to Forest Wilson, who after a brief illness passed away July 18, 1880. To this union were born two children, Sylvina and Myrtle.

In January 1882, she was married to Oliver Dodge and to this union nine children were born. She continued to make Iowa her home until 1885 when, with her husband and family, she immigrated to Kansas and had made Republic county her home ever since, with the exception of two years in Oklahoma and three years in Iowa.

She united with the United Brethren church at Sibley, Kan., many years ago, later transferring her membership to the Christian church in Belleville and lived her Christian life in this faith until her death. Like many others she endured hardships and discouragements, which she met with Christian fortitude.

She was a loving mother, a dutiful wife, a good neighbor - always ready and willing to help those in need.

Since her husband's death in 1927, she made her home with her daughter, Sophia Westrick.

She was the mother of 11 children, six having preceeded her in death. Those left to mourn her passing are her three sons and two daughters, William H. Dodge and Etta Barleen of Concordia, Claude F. Dodge of Topeka, Stanley A. Dodge of Los Angeles, Cal., and Sophia Westrick of Belleville; also 34 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Carrie Tatro of Wichita, besides a host of friends and acquaintances.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 27, at 1:30 p.m.

Internment was in Pleasant Ridge cemetery.

The Belleville (Kansas) Telescope, Thursday, June 27, 1946