Martha Kaster, age 99, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at the Mahnomen Health Center, Mahnomen, MN.

Martha Tschida was born March 6, 1917, in Albany, MN, the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Schlueter) Tschida. As a child, she moved with her family to the homestead in LaGarde Township, rural Beaulieu, MN. Martha attended country school and helped on the farm. On August 25, 1936, Martha was united in marriage to Bernard Kaster at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The couple raised their family and farmed in LaGarde Township. Following Bernard's death in 1978, Martha continued to live on the family farm until her death.

Martha was quite musical, playing the guitar, harmonica, organ and singing with the church choir for many years. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's and the Christian Mothers Society of Beaulieu.

Martha is survived by a daughter, Audrey (Jack) Frank of Shoreview, MN; five sons: Donald (Nancy) of Bloomington, MN, Raymond of Fertile, MN, Eugene of Mahnomen, Richard (Greta) of Buckeye, AZ and Michael also of Mahnomen; 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, Bernard Jr. and Kenneth; daughters, Dorine Leslie and infant, Marilyn; daughters-in-law, Janice Kaster and Eileen Kaster; son-in-law, Bob Leslie; grandson, Joseph Leslie; three brothers and three sisters.