Marta Chandler, 75

Marta was a beautiful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, as well as a great grandmother. She was born on Tuesday, March 6, 1951, in the city of Red Cloud, NE. She was the 4th child of 5 to C. Garner and Beth B. Merrill. She left us ten days after her 75th birthday, at her home in Mankato KS with loved ones beside her, on March 16, 2026.

Marta grew up on a farm in the NW corner of Jewel County, Kansas. She attended Windy Point Country school until she was 10 years old, at which time her family moved to Mankato and she finished her education there. Marta attended NCK Technical College in Beloit, KS where she completed the culinary arts program.

On June 20, 1975, Marta was united in marriage to Ken Chandler in Concordia, KS.

During their life together, she worked many jobs, always as a confident, strong, hard worker. No matter what the job was, she took pride in helping to provide for her family.

For many years, Marta and Ken owned and operated the Sweden Creme of Mankato, KS. After they sold it, they managed the Crest-Vue motel on highway 36 in Mankato before retirement.

Marta was a wonderful lady. She was an honest and strong woman who loved her family, her privacy, and the occasional trip to the casinos while listening to Match Box Twenty.

Marta was preceded in death by her parents C. Garner and Beth, infant daughter Karrie, and her sister Nila.

She leaves behind her loving family, not in grief but in great fullness of being blessed in being part of her life. Her husband of 50 years, Ken Chandler. Her children, Sheila (Lonnie) Myers, Corey (Tallulah) Merrill, Melissa (Bill) Worthing, Cody (Julie) Merrill, Tessa (Donald) Chandler, two stepdaughters Kim (Marty) Hernandez, Tammie (Darrin) Kochevar, thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her brother and sisters John Merrill, Linda (Jack) Ecklund, April Lang along with many nieces and nephews.

Rain or shine, the graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery on the 28th of March. 2026, at 10:30 am, west edge of Mankato, KS.

Following the service, there will be a luncheon and visiting time with family (for yourself or someone like you) at the Mankato Armory, 217 S High.

Memorials are suggested to go to Solomon Valley Hospice Beloit or the First Baptist Church of Mankato.

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• Martin "Marty" Boyer, 61
• Melvin Dee Berry, 100
• Linda Jo Crangle, 74
• Ruth Marie Brotherson Harris, 96
• Virginia Lee (Douglas) Racette, 93
• Betty Loise Befort, 82
• Rodney "RJ" Lowell, 79
• Karl Edwin Williams, 89
• Lonnie Dean Craig, 66
• Dale Swenson, 88
• David E. Calgren, 88
• Verle Rudolf Grittman, 88
• Lisa Janelle (Pahls) Merklein, 62
• Kimberly Kay Albrecht, 63
• Bobby J. Trecek, 89
• Cheryl Ruth Bonin, 74
• William Edward (Bill) Long, 95