Martha Louise New, 96, of Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.  Martha was born February 26, 1925, in Plattsburg, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Rex Walter and Mary Agnes (Gist) Thorning.

Martha is survived by four daughters, Carrie A. Ritchey (Kurtis), Debbie L. Miller (Jeff), Linda L. Warrick (Bill), and Nancy L. Wood (Joe), one son George Frank New, sixteen grandchildren and forty-two great-grandchildren with one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George S. New, her parents, one granddaughter Kimberly Ritchey, son-in-law Larry O'Neill and two sisters, Mary Agnes Thorning and Lucy Wornall.

Martha graduated from Southwest High School, Kansas City, Missouri and attended William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri, where she forged friendships that lasted a lifetime and meant so much to her.

She was married August 8, 1945, to Ensign George S. New U.S. Naval Reserve, in Leavenworth.  After the war they moved b ack to rural Leavenworth where they raised their family and operated a successful dairy farm for over 50 years.

Martha was a very active member of her community serving.  She served as a longtime helper with Vacation Bible School at High Prairie Church and attended Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Study.  She was a member of Chapter AD P.E.O., Little Stranger EHU, the Leavenworth County Dairy Association and numerous projects with the Leavenworth County Extension.  She encouraged many area youth as a 4-H project leader in Boling 4-H Club.  In 2016 she was recognized by the Leavenworth County 4-H Foundation for lifetime service to 4-H.  She was known for her pie baking skills and was recognized as the Champion Senior Pie Baker at the Leavenworth County Fair Pie Baking Contest.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 PM, Monday, May 24, 2021, at the Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee St., Leavenworth, KS.   Funeral service will be held 11 AM, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at High Prairie Church, 26480 187 ^th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048.  Memorial contributions may be given to Little Stranger Church or Chapter AD P.E.O.  Memorial contributions may be sent to Carrie Ritchey, 26374 Tonganoxie Dr., Leavenworth, KS 66048.