Martha M. Edward

Martha M. Edward, St. Francis in the Park, formerly of the Central Park area, Superior, WI, died on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at St. Francis Home in the Park which would have been Martha’s wedding anniversary.

She was born August 18, 1910 in Duluth, Minnesota and was a resident of Superior since her marriage to John L. Edward in 1943.

She graduated from Duluth Central High School class of 1927, and attended Duluth Business University, UMD night classes and a year at UWS.

She was a remarkable woman taking on the responsibility of raising her younger brother, Ernest, when her mother, Francis, passed away when Martha was only twelve years old. Martha’s father, Paul, passed away when Martha was eighteen.

Martha was employed as a secretary in Duluth since 1929 at the Crane Company, White Truck Company, The Walker Jamar Company, and at New York Life Insurance Company from 1933 to 1947.

She was a legal secretary at the law firm of Hanft, Fride, O’Brien and Harries, from 1972 to 1981.

In the years between, she was a wonderful mother and homemaker active as a leader in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the former Onaway Club.

She was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Church, its Altar Society, and the Catholic Daughters Court 1190.

She was a talented cook and seamstress who created fabulous dinner parties for her friends and family.

She lived graciously with her deep faith in God, family and friends as the center of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Edward in 1989, after celebrating forty-six years of marriage, her brother, Ernest Jahn, San Diego in 1993, a nephew, Ernest Jahn Jr. of Colorado and her parents, Francis and Paul Jahn.

Surviving are a son, John “Larry” (Daisy) Edward and grandson, Robert J. Edward, Palm Harbor, Florida; daughter, Ellen L. (Ron) Minter, Hermantown, MN and granddaughter, Susan L. (David) Helgerson; a great-granddaughter, Veronica Rose Helgerson and step great-granddaughter, Natalie J. Helgerson, Superior, WI; a step great grandson, Nicholas D. Helgerson, Superior, WI and grandson, Curtis J. Minter; a niece Geraldine and one nephew Michael Jahn.

The family is very grateful to the staff and nurses at St. Francis in the Park for the love and care during Martha’s six years there. They would also like to thank the SMDC Hospice staff for their loving support for Martha and her family.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM, Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home with a Scripture service scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Visitation will continue at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and continue until the 10:30 AM, Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Father James Tobolski as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, in Duluth, Minnesota.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Should you like to send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.