Martha Ortegren, 101, of Godfrey, formerly of Vandalia

Martha Ortegren, 101, of Godfrey, formerly of Vandalia, passed away Friday, May 14, 2021, at her home in Godfrey.

Memorial Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2021, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia, with Pastor Tom Goodell officiating. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia. Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m., Friday, June 4, at the FUMC, and hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Vandalia; Asbury Village, Godfrey, and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.

She was born October 26, 1919, in Marquette, NE, the daughter of Peter and Johanna (Pedersen) Rasmussen. Married Kenneth “Ken” Alfred Ortegren on June 8, 1940, Central City, NE, he passed away May 5, 2012. She was a retired teacher and former principal at Jefferson Elementary School, Vandalia, and a member of First United Methodist Church, Vandalia.

Martha was a teacher beginning in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska and retiring as principal of Jefferson Elementary School in Vandalia. She was very proud of her danish heritage. She and Ken traveled extensively during their 72 years of marriage. She had so many friends that she loved. She was famous for her Christmas cookie plates and for all the cards she sent.

She is survived by a son, Alan Ortegren and Bobbi, East Alton; daughter, Sharon Kay Spencer, Roxana; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces.

Preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law, Allan Spencer; grandson, Dustin Rauch; two brothers and their spouses; and two sisters and their spouses.