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Valentine, NE, 69201
Phone: 402-376-2840
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Obituary for Martha Teresia O'Neill (Risse)
Martha O’Neill, age 86 of Martin, SD, passed away on Oct. 3, 2016. She was born on Oct. 12, 1929 at her parents’ farm house in Dodge (near Rogers), NE to Frank and Anna (Burger) Risse. She joined her older sister; Elsie; of 22 months of age. In March - 1932, the family; with her newest brother – Ed; moved southwest of Martin to be close to her Uncle Ben and Aunt Mary Risse. They lived in a one room house with no well or outhouse. Martha talked of the kids sleeping close to stay warm and often waking up to her hair froze to the wall.
Because her parents spoke only German in their home, she started school not knowing English. Her grade school years were completed at the Little White River School. She attended high school at St. Agnes Academy in Alliance, NE. She later attained a Third Grade Teaching Certificate, enabling her to teach school for 3 years in NE. She taught one year at a school south of Valentine, then taught grades 1-6 for 2 years in Nenzel. She later worked as a bank teller at Blackpipe State Bank in Martin.
Jimmie and Martha were married on June 10, 1953. Jimmie’s best friend Wendell Johnson and Martha’s sister Elsie introduced the couple and were their wedding attendants. The couple lived in western Todd County for 2 years on Jimmie’s parent’s ranch. In 1955 they purchased the Haag place south of Harrington, raising cattle, corn and small grain. The couple had 4 children: Dan, Peggy, Ann and Katie. Jimmie and Martha moved to Martin in 2007, when their grandson James & wife Abby moved to the ranch to be in partnership with Jimmie & Martha and Dan & Vera.
Along with raising her 4 children, Martha helped with farming when the kids were in school, was a CCD teacher for 24 years, president & v-pres. of the Catholic Altar Society, helped make the Catholic cemetery maps, was a school board member, drove the school bus, was a 4-H leader for many years and was a member of the BC Historical Society. She enjoyed doing things for others and spending time in her flower gardens. She & Elsie and Jimmie & Wendell enjoyed a friendly rivalry through uncountable Pinochle games. She was a loving mother and wife; spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie, parents Frank and Anna Risse, brother Dave, sister-in-law Gloria Risse and brother-in-law Wendell Johnson.
She is survived by siblings: Elsie Johnson of Rapid City; Ed Risse of Martin; Chuck (Jane) Risse of Las Vegas, NV; Rita (Art) McDonald of Lame Deer, MT; Sister-in-law Joyce Risse of Martin. Children: Dan (Vera) O’Neill of Vetal; Peggy (Duane) Casavan of Stickney; Ann Harris of Martin; Katie (Paul) Naasz of Chatham, MI. Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: James (Abby) O’Neill, Rush, Reagan, Peyson, Jade & Knox; Wendy (Jeff) Adamson, Ainsley & Taycee; Heather (Kalen) Harris, Jace, Harley & Kade; Maggie (Tate) Thompson, Tilden, Riley & Cyrus; Amy O’Neill; John (Allie) O’Neill; Joseph Casavan, Brigitte (Cale) Setness & Becks; Amanda Casavan & Halla Jo; Lindsee Harris, Marcus, Jared & Ethan; Sarah Harris; Nikki Harris & Alex Christensen; Jennifer Naasz, Jake Naasz.
Rosary and vigil service was held Thursday evening, followed by Mass of Christian Burial Friday, October 7, 2016 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Martin, SD. Interment followed at Martin Catholic Cemetery. Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine, NE was entrusted with the arrangements.
Because her parents spoke only German in their home, she started school not knowing English. Her grade school years were completed at the Little White River School. She attended high school at St. Agnes Academy in Alliance, NE. She later attained a Third Grade Teaching Certificate, enabling her to teach school for 3 years in NE. She taught one year at a school south of Valentine, then taught grades 1-6 for 2 years in Nenzel. She later worked as a bank teller at Blackpipe State Bank in Martin.
Jimmie and Martha were married on June 10, 1953. Jimmie’s best friend Wendell Johnson and Martha’s sister Elsie introduced the couple and were their wedding attendants. The couple lived in western Todd County for 2 years on Jimmie’s parent’s ranch. In 1955 they purchased the Haag place south of Harrington, raising cattle, corn and small grain. The couple had 4 children: Dan, Peggy, Ann and Katie. Jimmie and Martha moved to Martin in 2007, when their grandson James & wife Abby moved to the ranch to be in partnership with Jimmie & Martha and Dan & Vera.
Along with raising her 4 children, Martha helped with farming when the kids were in school, was a CCD teacher for 24 years, president & v-pres. of the Catholic Altar Society, helped make the Catholic cemetery maps, was a school board member, drove the school bus, was a 4-H leader for many years and was a member of the BC Historical Society. She enjoyed doing things for others and spending time in her flower gardens. She & Elsie and Jimmie & Wendell enjoyed a friendly rivalry through uncountable Pinochle games. She was a loving mother and wife; spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie, parents Frank and Anna Risse, brother Dave, sister-in-law Gloria Risse and brother-in-law Wendell Johnson.
She is survived by siblings: Elsie Johnson of Rapid City; Ed Risse of Martin; Chuck (Jane) Risse of Las Vegas, NV; Rita (Art) McDonald of Lame Deer, MT; Sister-in-law Joyce Risse of Martin. Children: Dan (Vera) O’Neill of Vetal; Peggy (Duane) Casavan of Stickney; Ann Harris of Martin; Katie (Paul) Naasz of Chatham, MI. Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: James (Abby) O’Neill, Rush, Reagan, Peyson, Jade & Knox; Wendy (Jeff) Adamson, Ainsley & Taycee; Heather (Kalen) Harris, Jace, Harley & Kade; Maggie (Tate) Thompson, Tilden, Riley & Cyrus; Amy O’Neill; John (Allie) O’Neill; Joseph Casavan, Brigitte (Cale) Setness & Becks; Amanda Casavan & Halla Jo; Lindsee Harris, Marcus, Jared & Ethan; Sarah Harris; Nikki Harris & Alex Christensen; Jennifer Naasz, Jake Naasz.
Rosary and vigil service was held Thursday evening, followed by Mass of Christian Burial Friday, October 7, 2016 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Martin, SD. Interment followed at Martin Catholic Cemetery. Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine, NE was entrusted with the arrangements.
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