Martha Fick

Martha Louise (Rueter) Fick passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Martha was born on March 16, 1948, to Ed and Pauline (Thomas) Rueter in Milan, Indiana. She loved to tell about her storybook childhood in Farmers Retreat with her siblings, Don, Mary, and John. She enjoyed adventures at Grandma Edna's house, studying in a two-room Lutheran School, playing with chicks at the hatchery, and learning to decorate cakes from Luella Fischer. Martha was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmers Retreat.

While Martha was in high school, her dad's job took them to Brighton, Colorado. Martha loved the mountains of her new home state. She enjoyed camping and participating in Walther League. She graduated from Brighton High in 1966. Months later, the family was transferred to Luverne, Minnesota, and moved into the house across the street from St. John Lutheran Church.

Martha enrolled in Augustana College, studying to be a teacher for the deaf. However, her plans were waylaid when the cute welder who was helping build the roof of the new educational wing at St. John asked her to the tractor pull. The rest is history. The two were inseparable for the next 59 years.

Martha and Gordon were married at St. John Lutheran Church, Luverne, on December 30, 1967. It was a frigid -30 degree night, but they were so happy that they didn't notice.

The couple moved to Gordon's farm south of Magnolia. Martha helped with the farm and together they designed a new house. Martha always wanted to be a mother and the couple was soon blessed with three children: Paula, Scott, and Jonathan.

Always one to stay busy, Martha began decorating wedding cakes. Many brides in Rock County were blessed by her creations. Even after she quit decorating professionally, her cakes were appreciated by loved ones on many special occasions.

Martha and Gordon took their young family on numerous mission trips to Guatemala and New Mexico with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Martha also immersed herself in volunteering at St. John, teaching Sunday School, Confirmation class, and Vacation Bible School for many years. She led the youth group, taking high school students to Christian concerts, weekend visits at the synodical colleges, and on service trips. She led the junior choir, puppet teams, and touring music ministry groups. She wrote several Christmas programs, sewing all of the costumes for them.

Always a student at heart, Martha finished her degrees when her children were grown. She completed the Lay Ministry program at Concordia University Wisconsin and later received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Family Life Ministry from Concordia University Nebraska.

Martha was passionate about intergenerational ministry. She taught groups of all ages, from toddlers to nursing home residents. She taught preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church and loved interacting with the families of her students. Later, she became a chaplain with the Good Samaritan Society and worked at the Mary Jane Brown Home. She loved doing joint projects between the residents there and the youth of Pinnacle in Magnolia.

Martha was asked to join the chaplaincy department at Good Samaritan National Campus in Sioux Falls. It was her dream job. During her many years there, she wrote devotional books, created a nursing home hymnal, and encouraged the work of Good Samaritan chaplains in the western district of Minnesota. Many of her resources were also sent to Nepal and Zimbabwe.

Martha loved spending time with her grandchildren. She will always be remembered for the tea parties and games they enjoyed together. Sheloved euchre tournaments, especially if her son-in-law David was her partner. She enjoyed traveling with her family and camping in their RV.

Martha was always happiest when she was working on a ministry project. She collected a shipping container full of medical supplies for hospitals in Zimbabwe and Haiti through Orphan Grain Train. She filled countless boxes for Operation Christmas Child. She could sew anything. She wrote extensively. Gordon and Martha celebrated their 50th Anniversary volunteering at VOM in Oklahoma. Martha always found joy in using her gifts for the Lord.

Martha didn't like to talk about herself. When cancer became a part of her life, she sought to encourage others instead of dwelling on her illness. Despite her diagnosis, she continued to plan future ministry projects.

As per Martha's request, a private graveside service was held on November 6 with Pastor Matthew Nix of Christ Lutheran Church officiating. A memorial celebration is planned for next summer.

Martha will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Memorials in Martha's honor may be sent to either Orphan Grain Train, PO Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466, or Mission Central, 40718 Highway E 16, Mapleton, IA 51034.

Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40