Marthabelle Fender Obituary (1922

Marthabelle Fender, one of five children of Ethel Elvira (Moyer) and Dr. U. A. Ludington, was born in Shenandoah, Iowa on February 27, 1922. The family later moved to a farm southwest of Shenandoah where her father practiced veterinary medicine and Marthabelle grew up and attended country school. She graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1939 and the same year, Marthabelle and Morris Ward Fender were married. They made their first home south of Emerson, Iowa where Ward farmed. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Marcia, Morris (Bill), Marnie, Martin, and Margo. Marthabelle enjoyed helping Ward with farm work and they eventually moved to a farm near Hastings, Iowa. The family later moved into Hastings where Ward established a machine shop, crane service, and worked as a millwright. Marthabelle helped Ward as much as possible and enjoyed her full time role as a mother and homemaker. She took an active part in the lives of the children serving as a 4-H leader, M.Y.F. leader for the Hastings United Methodist Church, and helping with activities at the Nishna Valley School. She was a loving mother and grandmother and enjoyed her faithful puppy and constant companion, Susie II. Due to failing health, on November 11, 2003, Marthabelle moved to the Red Oak Rehabilitation and Care Center. Marthabelle and Ward had been married for nearly 65 years when Marthabelle died at the Care Center on April 3, 2004. She had attained the age of 82 years, 1 month, and 6 days. Marthabell was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Clifford Ludington, Byron Ludington, Ivan Ludington, and Vernon Ludington; and daughter-in-law Judy Fender. In addition to her husband Ward, Marthabelle is survived by their children Marcia Vanderpool of Gray, Louisiana, Morris (Bill) Fender of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Marnie Hamilton and her husband Jerry of Hastings, Iowa, Martin Fender and his wife Jill of Glenwood, Iowa, and Margo Bolton and her husband Kenny of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin; 15 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.