Martha Schaumburg, 91, of Mahnomen, MN, died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Mahnomen Health Center.

Martha was born on April 14, 1925, and lived in Golzwarden, Germany. She was very active as a young lady participating in sports, especially gymnastics and dancing. Martha worked in sewing factories and as a farmhand during the war. She told many stories about going to the bomb shelter in the dark of night. In 1954, Martha wanted to experience traveling and after her uncle visited them in Germany she decided to see America. She was 29 years old and couldn't speak any English, but she boarded a ship to America to start a new venture. Martha lived with her uncle in Twin Valley and then moved to Mahnomen and worked with a family for a few years taking care of the house. She met Melvin Schaumburg in church one Sunday in 1956 and they were married on March 2, 1957. Melvin and Martha were blessed with five children, Enos, Christa, Dean, Ruby, and Roy. She kept busy taking care of their children while helping Melvin with the farm, the animals and raising chicken for the family and others in the neighborhood.

Martha became a citizen of the United States in 1960. She was quite a busy woman and had numerous hobbies. Some of her favorites were knitting, crocheting, quilting, ceramics, bowling, bingo, and gardening. She belonged to the Garden Club, Hobby Club, Quilting Club, Mahnomen Rod and Gun Club, Ladies Aid, and Farmers Union. She was also active with the Mahnomen County Fair and Senior Citizens for many years. Melvin and Martha enjoyed numerous trips throughout the United States and Martha also enjoyed her time away when she attended Farmer's Union Ladies Camp most summers. She always had a good time there and was quite mischievous along with her friends. When they moved into town in 1991, Martha enjoyed going to concerts, going to see the Red Hawks and watching the various sporting events and music concerts that her grandchildren participated in throughout high school.

Martha was a kind and spunky wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her five children: Enos of Sabin, MN, Christa Orr of Hackensack, NJ, Dean (Delane) of Bejou, MN, Ruby (Ray) Schenkel of Reidsville, NC, and Roy (Lisa) of Erskine, MN; eight grandchildren: Meghan Schaumburg, Anna Schaumburg, Joshua Orr, Caitlin Orr, Eric (Kasandra) Schaumburg, Jana Schaumburg, Leah Schenkel, and Ryan Schaumburg; and three great grand-children: Wyatt, Neva, and Titus Schaumburg (Eric's children).

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two brothers, and Melvin, her husband for 53 years.

A Memorial Service was held Friday, May 6, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. A time of gathering was held one hour prior at the church. Inurnment took place at First Lutheran Cemetery, Mahnomen.