Martha Malinde Christina (Maland) Stenberg (1861-1948)

MALAND, STENBERG, TESDALL, HEGGEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/25/2019 at 18:47:20

From Nevada Evening Journal August 12, 1948 (page 4)

Funeral Services Held For Martha Stenberg

SLATER--Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Stenberg, who died suddenly at her home Wednesday evening, July 28, from a heart attack were held Sunday afternoon from the Bethlehem church with her pastor, Rev. P. E. Onstad, in charge.

There were brief services from her late home at 2 o'clock. They included a song by pastor. Also scripture reading and prayer. The services at the church at 2:30 o'clock opened with the singing of a hymn "Rock of Ages," by the audience. Rev. Onstad followed with scripture reading and prayer and the reading of the obituary. He followed with the singing of an old favorite, "I Know of a Way Full of Hardships." The sermon that followed centered in "Heaven Is My Home." The services closed with a vocal number by Miss Margaret Fritz with Mrs. Harold Croft at the organ.

There were many lovely flowers. Also gifts to the missions and other Christian activities in memory of Mrs. Stenberg. The pallbearers were all from Maland families and included Edwin and Joseph Maland of Des Moines, Omar and Lismore Maland of Kanawha, Ia., and Amar J. and Archie Maland of the Huxley vicinity. Burial was made in the Stenberg burial lot in the Bethlehem cemetery. Rev. Onstad read the committal ceremony.

The Obituary of Martha Stenberg

Martha Malinde Christina Maland, the daughter of Engeborg and Johannes Maland, was born in Lisbon, Ill., May 24, 1861 and died at her home in Slater, July 28, 1948, at the age of 87 years, two months and four days.

With her parents and other early settlers she came to Story county, Ia., in 1864, the trip being made in a covered wagon, drawn by horses and oxen. The family took up their residence among the Palestine pioneers and later located south of the Palestine church where Martha grew to womanhood. She attended parochial school and was confirmed in the Palestine church.

In the spring of 1899 the family moved to Slater where Martha continued to live till death called her in the evening of July 28. Hers was a quiet peaceful passing to be with her Master and Friend whom she had served for many years.

Her marriage to John Stenberg was solemnized at the home of her mother on June 3, 1910. Mr. Stenberg preceded her in death on Mar. 10, 1944.

She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Anna Tesdall of near Cambridge and Mrs. Elisa Heggen of near Goldfield, Ia. and two brothers, Andrew of Slater and Martin of Huxley. She is also mourned by 19 nieces and 18 nephews. Her parents and four brothers, Johnnie, Samson, Elias and Olai preceded her in death.

Mrs. Stenberf loved children. While she had none of her own she assisted in caring for many boys and girls, now grown to manhood and womanhood, and who ill cherish the memory of her as long as they live.

Mrs. Stenberg was reared in a Christian home and was true to her confirmation vows and took a great interest in the church and its work.

Though she reached the advanced age of 87 years, her interest in the church and its activities remained almost as keen as ever and she attended the Ladies Aid of the Bethlehem church at every meeting.

The Bible was her daily companion and an evening never passed that she did not have devotions. While never much of a singer, the songs that her mother taught her were never effaced and she could rightly sing, "Heaven Is My Home" as she was about her work in the kitchen.

Thus ended the life of a pioneer girl who was born in a log hut in Lisbon, Ill., and grew to womanhood in another one room log cabin near the Palestine church. Blessed be her memory.