The family of former Chadron resident Martha Staby invite everyone to a memorial service followed by a reception on Friday, Oct 6th, at 1:30 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2919 Wilson Ave., in Loveland, CO.
Private family graveside services will be at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memory Gardens in Loveland.
Memories and condolences are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.
Born in Audubon, Iowa, on August 31, 1917, Martha was the second of four daughters of Karl and Lina Rasmussen, who were Danish immigrants. She passed away on September 27, 2023 at age 106.
Martha graduated from Audubon High School in 1935 and attended for two years at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, where she met her future husband, Andrew P. Staby. She received her bachelor of arts degree from Fresno State College in Fresno, California, and later earned her master’s from UNC in Greeley.
On June 12, 1939, she married Andrew Staby of Westbrook, ME. To this union were born four children: Judy Hoch (Randy) of Salida, CO; Paul Staby (Jigger) of Durango, Co; John Staby (Kathie) of Plymouth, MN; and Mary Staby (Miles F. Porter IV) of Salida.
They all survive as well as granddaughters Kirsten Love, Annie Mitty and Betsy Sluis (Michael) and four great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Andrew, was a Lutheran pastor and they served churches in Oregon, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Colorado – including Chadron, NE.
While in Chadron, Martha was not only a busy mother and pastor’s wife, she taught at Chadron State College and the Pine Ridge Job Corps Center. Later, she also taught high school in Brush, CO, and Denver.
The Stabys retired in 1978 and moved to Loveland, where they continuously resided while traveling extensively. In their lifetimes, they visited all 50 states and numerous countries. Martha was an active member of King of Glory Lutheran Church and did community service with House of Neighborly Service and the Loveland Museum.