Martha “Margje” VanderWerf, 99, formerly of North Newton, died Nov. 4 at Showalter Villa, Hesston.

She was born Sept. 18, 1911, in Tjalleberd, Friesland, the Netherlands, to Jeltje and Hendrik Dam.

She was a nurse at Asbury Park, formerly Friendly Acres, until she retired at age 74.

She married Johannes VanderWerf on Nov. 9, 1944. He died in 1973. Three grandchildren, Don Miller Jr., Michelle Omic, and Lynn Troyer; and two great-grandchildren, Emina and Lelia Omic, also preceded her.

Martha and Johannes immigrated to America in December 1948. They were sponsored by members of the Manson Mennonite Church in Manson, Iowa, and lived there until November 1972 when they moved to North Newton.

Survivors include a son, John of Goshen, Ind.; five daughters, Isy Miller of Elkhart, Ind., Julie Gingerich of Kalona, Iowa, Hennie Janzen of Wichita, Margriet Troyer of Como, Colo., and Chris Graber of Newton; 21 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Services were Monday afternoon at Faith Mennonite Church, Newton. The Rev. Gordon Smith officiated.

A private burial was before the service at Zion Mennonite Church Cemetery, Elbing.

Memorials have been established with Faith Mennonite Church and refugee relocation Mennonite Central Committee in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E Broadway St, Newton KS 67114.