Martha A. Stoenner

Martha A. Stoenner, 93, of Washington, passed away on December 4, 2022. Martha, daughter of the late Conway Kuhlmann and Winnie nee Tallent, was born on September 12, 1929 in Washington. She received her education from Washington High School, graduating in 1947. On September 26, 1948, she was united in marriage to Oliver Stoenner Sr. at the First United Methodist Church in Washington.

Martha was a life-long resident of Washington, and a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on many committees, missions, and fund-raising events. She was active in the Women’s Craft group, participating in numerous craft shows.

For approximately 10 years, Martha worked as a checker at the Kroger Grocery Store in Washington where she renewed old acquaintances and made many new friends.

She and her family hosted two foreign exchange students during their senior years of high school; Luis Fritis from Chili (1968) and Rosli Saxer from Switzerland (1971).

She was Secretary-Treasurer for the Washington Volunteer Ambulance Service 1970-1971, and chaired a fund-raising drive for the Ambulance District.

In the late 1970’s, she and Oliver were foster parents to five children.

Her interest in dolls began at age 12 when she started sewing clothes for her collection. In 1959, she saw an ad for a doll repair correspondence course. After completion, she was given a degree certifying her as a “Doctor of Dollology” and she opened a doll repair business known as “Aunt Martha’s Doll Corner.” As her children began to leave for college Martha continued repairing dolls but began collecting in earnest. In addition to her growing doll collection, she collected vintage toys, games - essentially anything that children played with. In 2015, Martha sold a portion of her then nearly 40,000 dolls and toys. Her children set up a Facebook store known as “Aunt Martha’s Vintage Dolls and Toys,” from which she continued to sell her collection. Occasionally a doll would be left on her doorstep by trashmen who knew of her reputation. She never met a doll she didn’t like and her love for them never ended.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Oliver Stoenner Sr.; daughter, Sarah Alsop; and siblings, Conway Kuhlmann Jr., Betty Koeppe, Ed Kuhlmann, Bob Kuhlmann, Tom Kuhlmann, and Billie Kuhlmann, who died at age 2.

Among her survivors are three children, Oliver “Fred” Stoenner Jr. and wife Robin of Grass Valley, CA; Susie Klapp and husband Phil of Jefferson City, MO; and Cindy Lohmeyer and husband Dale of Williamsburg, MO. Alsosurviving are grandchildren, Andrew Lohmeyer and wife Katie; Thaddeus Stoenner and wife Amanda; Benjamin Lohmeyer and wife Andrea; Caleb Klapp and wife Katie; Rosemary Mendonca and husband Nick; Nick Klapp and wife Beth; and Maggie Lohmeyer and husband Naresh Kumar; nine great-grandchildren. Sisters-in-law Patsy Kuhlmann of Universal City, TX and Carol Kuhlmann of New Haven; other relatives and many friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Washington. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday December 9, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Washington, with interment in the church cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Washington or WINGS-Sarah Stoenner Alsop Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

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