Martha Lee Millender, 95, of Carroll, Iowa, formerly of Weslaco, Texas, passed away at Swan Place Assisted Living on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, from natural causes.

Martha was born in her grandmother’s house in Hoxie, Arkansas, on November 6, 1925. She graduated from high school in Canton, Oklahoma, and got a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma A&M. She received a Master’s Degree at Oklahoma State University, where she met her future husband, William Robert “Bob” Millender. She taught Home Economics on fellowship at Southwestern State University in  Weatherford, Oklahoma, where they were married on July 23, 1952. They moved to Rockwell City, Iowa, then moved to Carroll in 1955 when Bob took a job with the County Extension Service. Martha taught Home Economics at Carroll Community Schools and then owned Stretch and Sew Fabrics (which became Martha’s Fabrics) for 16 years.

They were active members of First United Methodist Church for many years. After living in Carroll for 35 years, Bob and Martha retired to  Weslaco, Texas, and came back to Carroll for the summer each year. In 2016, she returned to Carroll to become a resident of Swan Place.

Martha was a very happy, outgoing person who lit up any room with her gregarious nature. She was passionate about sewing, knitting, walking, bicycling, camping, and cooking. She loved making and giving away dishcloths and divinity candy to everyone. She shared lots of laughs and friendly ribbing (Ha!) with friends and family over games of cards, especially Canasta, cribbage, and dominoes.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Bob Millender, and her parents, Mabel Forrest Strange and Herschel Lee Waldron.

She is survived by her children: Sue (Brad) Wagoner of Celebration, Florida, and Larry (LeAnn) Millender of Mayer, Minnesota; four grandchildren: Stephanie (Danny) Kimball, Erin (Kirk) Hansen, Austin Millender (fiancée Kaitlin Thurman) and William Millender; two great-grandchildren: Zella and Maxwell Kimball; and a step-sister, Sharon (Larry) Dunn.

The family would like to thank Swan Place and Hospice of the Midwest for the excellent care they gave to Martha. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.  Memorials can be sent to Hospice of the Midwest at 103 North Fourth Street, Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115.