Martha Elizabeth Mumm Bissen

Martha Elizabeth Mumm Bissen was born July 29, 1935 to Gilbert and Lidwina (Eisterhold) Rau in Westphalia, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia on July 30, 1935. She attended St. Boniface school until 3rd grade when the family moved to Portsmouth, IA and she graduated from St. Mary’s High School in May of 1953.

After graduating, she moved to Harlan and through the years, raised her six children: Kenny, Marilyn, Dewey, Jim, Bill and Mike. Martha spent a few years working at Farners and the telephone company. She then spent 19 years working as a receptionist at the Dental Office. She eventually worked as a dietary aid at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan where she stayed until her retirement on April 30, 2010.

Through the years, Martha kept busy with hobbies such as gardening, canning, keeping up her home, baking and sewing. She loved to make quilt tops but hated to quilt.

Martha passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at Elm Crest Retirement Home in Harlan, Iowa attaining the age of 91 years, 3 months and 3 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Lidwina Rau; and siblings, Dorothy Gaul, Mamie Grote, Michael Rau, Leo Rau, Jeanette Mikels, Zita Bruck, Sr. M. Lita Veronica Rau, Leonard Rau, Mervin Nelson, Gilbert Rau, Jr; Judy Jones and Alma Bissen.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Kenneth (Roberta) Mumm of Dunlap, IA, Marilyn Davie of Denison, IA, Duane Mumm of Dunlap, IA, James (Patti) Mumm of Dunlap, IA, William (Connie) Mumm of Honey Creek, IA, Michael (Connie) Mumm of Harlan, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; siblings, Verla Mumm of Earling, IA, Patricia Kuether of Pierce, NE; many nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.