Martha Helen LaDuke

Martha Helen LaDuke, 95, of Oneida, IL passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 27th, 2014 after spending the last few days surrounded by her loving family. Martha was born January 25, 1919 in Oneida, IL to Carl and Agnes (Mortenson) Lingwall. Oneida was her home under the watchful eye of her father that owned and operated Ling's Hatchery for 50 years and her brother John who preceded her in death in 1968. She graduated Oneida High School Class of 37 with High Honors. Martha went on to be a student at Knox College for 2 years studying Pre-Med while being a member of Delta Zeta. From there her education took her to the University of Iowa where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing. Graduating in 1943 with Honors was a part of the National Honorary Nursing Society and a member of Sigma Theta Tau. As a student at the University of Iowa she served in the Navy Reserve as a nurse. She planned on entering the Navy as a nurse, but after a strong objection from her parents she transferred to a civilian program in Public Health (which was her favorite class in school). She also spent two semesters at the University of Minnesota in their Masters of Public Health program, but did not finish. She always said this was one of her biggest regrets.

Returning home to Oneida, she gained employment at Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, IL. Martha then went on to work for the Peoria Public Health Department. In her free time she volunteered at the Peoria YMCA and made weekly trips to Camp Ellis, (an Army Base near Farmington, Il) to dance with the new service men. This is where she met her future husband Franklin who preceded her in death. They were married in 1946 after his discharge from the Army. She returned to Cottage Hospital as an evening supervisor part-time and worked as a school nurse at ROVA. After having her fill of upset parents due to a lice outbreak, she moved on to be a teacher at St. Anthony's Hospital School of Nursing in Rock Island, IL.

On a vacation, she explored a new job opportunity that lead to her to being hired as the 1st Nursing Coordinator of the Carl Sandburg College LPN program in 1968.

She worked there for 12 years. During this time she pursued and received a Master of Science Degree in Community Health from Western Illinois University in December 1981. This completed the goal she set for herself many years prior at school in Minnesota; even though it was just a short period before she retired.

Martha was the proud mother of three boys and leaves behind: Gary LaDuke of Bloomington, Ca, James (Pat) LaDuke of Galesburg, IL and Ron (Nancy) LaDuke of Oneida, IL. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Doug) Wilson, Keri Miller, Aaron (Krystal) LaDuke and Ashley (Brian) Hill. Great Grandchildren: Miranda Wilson, Mason Wilson, Michael Wilson, Audrey Miller, Emersyn Miller, Wrigley Miller, Finley LaDuke and Cohen LaDuke.

Outside of being the constant matriarch of her family she found time to volunteer at the American Cancer Society Board and many other public health related groups. She was a proud lifetime member of the Oneida Presbyterian Church where she also taught Sunday School and was a part of the Women's Association.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 12:00 Noon at the United Church of Oneida, Illinois. Rev. David Pyell will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00A.M. until 12:00 Noon on Thursday, January 1, 2015 at the United Church of Oneida, Illinois. Interment will be at the Oneida Cemetery, Oneida, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the United Church of Oneida or to the OSF Hospice. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Oneida, Illinois will be in charge of services. On-line condolences may be made through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com