Martha M. Schugel, age 91, of New Ulm, died on Wednesday, April 01, 2026 at the New Ulm Medical Center.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Amy Karlson will officiate. Interment will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org

Martha is survived by two sisters, Margaret Havemeier and Doris Curtis; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Leo; her parents; in-laws, Leo J. & Elizabeth Schugel; two sisters-in-law, Geraldine Fischer and Marlys Brandel; four brothers-in-law, Jerome Havemeier, Robert Curtis, Delbert Fischer Sr., and Harold Brandel; and a nephew, Larry Brandel, niece, Lori Achman.

Martha Marie Hackbarth was born on July 16, 1934 in Brookfield Township, rural Hector, Renville County, at the home of her parents, William & Lydia (Koenig) Hackbarth. She was baptized at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hector, MN by Rev. William Heidtke on August 5, 1934. Martha was confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church, Cosmos, MN, by Rev. E.J. Kaiser on May 16, 1948. She was a member of Brookfield Trinty Lutheran Church. Martha attended rural schools from kindergarten through 8th grade. She graduated from Hector High School in 1952.

Martha worked as a clerk at J.C. Penny in Hutchinson, and at Montgomery Ward and Liquor Mart in New Ulm. She became a bookkeeper working at Farmers Creamery, W.O. Moll & Company, Scheible Plumbing, Osborne Plumbing, Fodness Sheet Metal, and Leo F. Schugel Trucking.

Martha was united in marriage to Leo Schugel on June 14, 1969 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm by Rev. John Spencer. She became part of the trucking business, working together with Leo. When Leo retired and began driving tour bus, they enjoyed many trips together of scenery, music events, and plays, meeting many nice people.

Her hobbies included cooking, baking, music, gardening, reading, embroidery, and craft works for gifts at the craft sale every fall for many years. Martha liked playing cards, animals, enjoying time with Dolly Sue, a pet sheep, and many cats. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, a Bible Study Group, and WELCA. Martha taught Sunday School for a few years and was a member of two former home extension study groups, Handi Hands and Sugar and Spice.