Martha Christian

Martha Christian, age 96 of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019 at AdventHealth-Ottawa. Funeral services will be held from the First United Methodist Church, Ottawa, 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 17, 2019. Family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the church. Interment Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. Martha was born Friday, April 27, 1923 in Harrisonville, Missouri, the daughter of Peter and Eliza Katherine (Bell) Johannes, Sr. She lived in Ottawa for most of her life. She graduated from Williamsburg High School with the class of 1941. On Friday, October 29, 1943, Martha was united in marriage to Jack S. Christian at Ottawa, Kansas. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in October 2018. He survives of their home. She is also survived by son, Roger Christian and wife Jennifer of Manhattan, Kansas, daughters, Elisa Christian of Olathe and Nancy Bourque of Ottawa; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter, Sr. and Eliza Johannes; brothers, John Johannes, Peter Johannes, Jr., Adam Johannes, Wilhelm Johannes and Benjamin Johannes; infant sister, Amalie Johannes; sisters, Mary Halliday, Bertha Keen, Mollie Johannes and Elizabeth Theyssen; and son-in-law, Darrell Bourque. For 45 years Martha worked with Jack as the bookkeeper in their family flooring business. In addition, 26 of those years were spent as a receptionist for Ottawa Family Physicians. After retirement, she played an active role in helping to care for her great grandchildren. Martha was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, the Sarah-Outreach Circle and the Franklin County Medical Assistants. She loved bowling, dancing, playing cards and traveling. Most of all, Martha valued spending time with her loving family. The family suggests memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Martha’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com