Martha Louise Meaders

Martha L. Meaders, 97, of Okemos, passed away March 31. She was born in Hammond, Indiana on March 8, 1923 to Owen and Edna Hann. After receiving her master’s degree in Library Science from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, she moved west to Lincoln, Nebraska.

While working as a children’s librarian in the Lincoln Public Library she met O. Donald Meaders, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska. They married in 1952 and lived in Wilbur, Nebraska where Don was an agriculture teacher at the local school and Martha worked as a librarian at Doane College in nearby Crete. They moved to East Lansing for Don to pursue a doctoral degree and Martha worked at the Lansing Public Library.

After his graduation, her library work paused and her focus turned to raising their two children, Paul and Ellen. The next years of life were filled with a two-year posting through Michigan State University for Don and the family in Taiwan and a round-the-world trip on the way home. Martha resumed library work at Michigan State University Library, first on a part-time basis and later as a full-time reference librarian.

Don and Martha traveled extensively throughout the world following his retirement. Martha also volunteered with the American Red Cross and was active in the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. When not traveling, Martha enjoyed working in her yard, tending the plants and flowers, and attending the University United Methodist Church.

In her final years, after Don’s passing, she continued to work in her yard in the summer and watch the birds at her feeder all year round. She also enjoyed having a cup of tea with her neighbor ladies and sharing treats with their families at Christmas.

In addition, Martha worked to raise money for an endowment set up at Michigan State University that provides financial support to future agriculture teachers in their final year of student teaching. For this work, the Michigan Association of Future Farms of America awarded her a Distinguished Service Award. She also worked to start a library at a small school in Haiti with which her daughter Ellen is affiliated.

Martha is survived by her son Paul (Cindy Wymer) of Troy, daughter Ellen Kamischke (Eric) of Traverse City, granddaughters Rachel Kamischke (Jason Storms) of Ferndale, and Lana Meaders of Troy. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and husband of sixty years. Due to the coronavirus, there will be no funeral service at this time. Burial will be in the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. Memorial contributions may be made to the O. Donald and Martha Meaders Agriculture & Natural Resources Endowment Fund through the advancement office at Michigan State University.