Martha Cress

Martha Cress

A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m., Saturday, January 19th at St. Andrews Episcopal Church for Martha Cress of Roswell.

Martha, 84, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 14th in Roswell.

She lived a life full of purpose-leading by example, grace and humility

Martha was born June 9, 1923, in Cokato, Minnesota to Nels and Mary Juusola Raisanen- immigrants from Finland. Few knew English was Marthas second language. She was the first in her family to learn English and the first to get a college degree.

While studying nursing at the University of Minnesota, Martha interrupted her education to serve her country in World War II. She spent two years as a second grade lieutenant in the Army Nursing Corps and was stationed at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. After the war, Martha returned to the university and graduated in 1947 with a bachelors degree in Nursing.

Shortly thereafter, she met and married her one true love, Robert H. Cress.

They moved from Minnesota to Texas where their first three children were born. In the mid- 1950s, Mr. Cress job as a geologist brought them to Roswell. It was here they decided to put down roots and raise their children. Martha then took 16 years off to raise her family of five.

She returned to nursing in 1965 as Chaves Countys first Home Health Nurse. In 1967, she designed and taught the first nurses aid class at ENMU-R. The following year, she developed the curriculum and course outlines for the Associate Degree Nursing program. The first nursing class began in August 1968 and two years later 16 of the original 18 students were graduated. She spent 21 years as Director of Nursing for ENMU-R before retiring at the age of 64.

While leading the nursing program at ENMU-R and raising her five children, she found time to go back to school herself. She was graduated with a masters degree in psychology and student personnel at ENMU in Portales in 1970.

She was a member of the New Mexico Nursing Association and served as district president in the late 1960s. In the 1970s, she served for eight years as member and then chairwoman of the New Mexico Board of Nursing.

In the late 1980s Martha was democratic candidate for the State House Representatives and was active in the local Democratic Party. During her lifetime, she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Petro Club, Altrusa and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. She was also active in many other civic organizations and causes and was honored with the March of Dimes Legends of Nursing award in 2004.
P She loved to travel especially when the trip could be coordinated with a side trip to see her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed Opera Camp in Santa Fe for several years. She was truly blessed to h

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