Martha Sylvia (Stardig) Henney

Before dawn, July 1st, 2017, Martha Sylvia (Stardig) Henney passed away softly in her sleep.  She was 96.  A gentle departure sweetly replicated her beloved manner and gracious life.  Martha lived her Christian faith.

Born 7 November 1920 to parents Albert W. and Hilda (Bakken) Stardig on the family farm west of McIntosh, attending rural schools and Salem Lutheran Church.  The granddaughter of two 13 Towns pioneer homesteaders, Olaf Stardig (Swede) and Ole Bakken (Norske).  A talented student, moved up a grade.  High School in McIntosh, played second clarinet, acted in the class play, graduated in 1937.  Worked as a dental assistant to Dr. Vig, DDS, on potato harvests, and as an insurance secretary for the Bovee Agency and First National Bank, retiring in 1987.  Despising idleness, she did secretarial work for the Charles Balstad farming operations into her early 90s.

On 27 July 1941 Martha married Myren W. Henney in a picturesque lawn wedding at her home place.  Myren served in the U.S. Army (1942-45), ETO (’44-’45), WWII.  The devoted couple raised five children: Carol, Lynn, Myles, Dean and Gail.  They lived on a farm due east of Winger and proudly celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Myren passed in 1992; Lynn in 2005.  Survived by her children Carol & Lindsay Wang, Billings, MT, Jerry Wang (widower of Lynn), Winger, MN, Myles & Renee Henney, St. Hilaire, MN, Dean M. Henney, Austin, TX and Gail & Terry Johnson, Karlstad, MN and only sibling, younger brother Orton. 

A life simple, noble and rich.  Faithful writer, submitted news snippets weekly to the Winger Enterprise.  Gardened, canned, tended chickens, mended and baked.  A remarkable memory for local history and family details.  Civically engaged: in Salem’s Ruth Circle and taught Sunday School; served on the Sletten Township Election Board, a 62-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, donated in excess of 53 pints of A- blood. 

In 2012 she broke her hip, moved into Poplar Meadows, then in 2016 to the Pioneer Care Memorial Center.  A nature perfectly balanced with independence and warmth toward others. Lucid and vital to the very end, deeply missed by offspring and friends, which is to say everyone the lady met. Martha was a great-great grandmother.  God rest her soul.

Remembrance gathering for Martha to be held at the Winger Town Hall Saturday, 29 July 2017, beginning at 4:00 pm.  Spaghetti dinner follows at 5:30 pm.  All Welcome.  Carlin Hoilman funeral arrangements.