Funeral services for Martha M. Kallis, age 95 of Glendive, MT, formerly of New Leipzig, will be held at 1:30 pm Thursday, September 17, 2009 at the New Leipzig Baptist Church in New Leipzig, ND. Brother Guy Pontoriero & Al Gaines will officiate with burial in the Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery northwest of New Leipzig.


Special music will be provided by Shirley and Floyd Roehl.


Serving as casketbearers are Ryan Kallis, Jahn Kallis, Rase Heinrich, Shane Heinrich, Barry Gibbons, and Kerby Gibbons.


MARTHA M. SCHRAMM was born September 10, 1914 on the Schramm homestead near New Leipzig, ND. She was the fifth of thirteen children born to Jacob and Maria (Bierwagen) Schramm. Martha attended New Leipzig Public School and completed the sixth grade when a need for her participation in the growth of the family circle required her help and dedication. She had the genuine instincts, habits and mannerisms of her mother and cultivated them throughout her life.


Martha was united in marriage to Adolph Kallis on October 8, 1933 in Elgin, ND by Pastor Carl Bach. The Kallis's began their life together on their farm northwest of New Leipzig. They spent 59 years together building a life that inspired many.


Martha was baptized into Christ at Odessa and has been a long standing member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church and later the New Leipzig Baptist Church. Her faith continued to be an underlying strength and guide throughout her life.


She treasured her vegetable and flower gardens, raising chickens, ducks, and geese which she lovingly cooked for family and friends. Writing and receiving letters gave her great joy. What made Martha special was her unconditional love. She cherished her three children, her ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She fostered growth and understanding through her faith and love of tradition.


Martha's husband passed away on July 7, 1993 and then moved into a apartment in New Leipzig. When her health began to fail, she moved to Glendive, MT to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She passed from this life early Sunday morning, September 13, 2009 at the Glendive Medical Center Nursing Home at the age of 95 years, 3 days.


Grateful for having share her life are her 2 daughters and son-in-law, Donna Mae and Vernon Heinrich, Glendive, MT; Eileen C. Gibbons, Spokane, WA; 1 son and daughter-in-law, LeeRoy and Dianna Kallis, Yakima, WA; 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; 1 sister, Mollie Hintz, Brighton, CO; 2 brothers and 2 sisters-in-law, Sam and Adeline Schram, New Leipzig, ND; Ray "Rueben" Schramm, Denver, CO; and Velma Schramm, Mott, ND.


She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Adolph, 4 brothers, John, Gottlieb, Dan, and Leo Schramm, 3 sisters, Othelia Thom, Hilda Stelter, Ann Sabado, and in infancy a sister, Rosina and a brother, Frederick.


Visitation will be Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm at the New Leipzig Baptist Church in New Leipzig.


A memorial has been established.