Martha Stolen

MADISON/STOUGHTON - Martha L. Stolen passed away Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, at Capitol Lakes Health Center. Martha was born June 7, 1922, in Silver Lake, Ind. After graduating from Silver Lake High School in 1940, she moved to Fort Wayne, Ind. and went to work for the General Electric Company. She met her future husband, Lieutenant Andy Stolen just three weeks before he departed for duty in England. They corresponded for 18 months and were married Aug. 6, 1944, just a week after his return. Martha secretly kept his nearly 200 letters, only revealing them after he passed away. It was obvious the daily letters she wrote him kept him flying through his 59 missions over Europe. After the war, Martha and Andy moved to Madison and eventually built their dream home in Monona. Martha waitressed at many Rennebohm\'s Restaurants and the Colonial Inn while raising three daughters. She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and singing in the choirs at Trinity Lutheran and St. Stephen\'s churches. She had a green thumb and took pride in her plants inside and out. She especially loved decorating their home for Christmas. In 1990, they retired in Stoughton where Martha continued to waitress at the Norse Chalet. After Andy passed away, she moved to Capitol Lakes Retirement to be closer to her daughters. Martha is survived by her daughters, Shirley Worl, Pat (Dave) Carlson, and Nancy Best; two grandchildren, Tammy Worl and Dustin Best; sister, Janet (Layne) Warren;and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Fern Carr; husband, Andy; and sister, Kathryn MacDonald. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5303 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, with the Rev. James Koza presiding. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to Capitol Lakes Retirement. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Capitol Lakes Terraces and Health Center for the exceptional care and friendship she received. Memorials: Memorials may be made to Capitol Lakes Retirement. Visitation: Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Service: Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5303 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, with the Rev. James Koza presiding.