Martha Elsie Pellikan

Martha Elsie Pellikan
Grafton - Martha Wehrly Pellikan, 92, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025, at Jersey Community Hospital. She was born on November 22, 1932, in St. Louis, the daughter of Samuel F. and Elsie (Ott) Wehrly. She grew up on the family farm outside of Kane with her siblings, Margaret and James. A graduate of Jersey Community High School Class of 1950, Martha earned her nursing degree from Wesley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago and later completed a degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. On April 6, 1958, she married Donald R. Pellikan, and together they lived and worked on the family dairy farm near Grafton for more than six decades until his passing in 2021. Martha began her career as a school nurse for the Jersey Community School District before staying home to raise their children and help with the farm. She later returned to nursing, caring for patients at Jersey Community Hospital until her retirement. Surviving are her two sons, Donald (Lydia) Pellikan of Krum, TX, and Larry (Michelle) Pellikan of Perryville, MO.; one daughter, Carolyn (Ray) Gansz of Grafton, IL.; five grandchildren, Andrew (Sarah) Pellikan of Clover, MO, Joshua (Katelyn) Pellikan of Jackson, MO, Caleb (Carrie) Pellikan of Lyons, NY, Sarah Pellikan of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, and Hannah Pellikan of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; her siblings, Margaret and James Wehrly; one grandchild, Rebecca Pellikan; one nephew, Jon Larson; and one niece, Marcia Larson. Martha chose to donate her body to Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis. A celebration of life will be held at Grafton United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior. Memorials may be made to Grafton United Methodist Church or to the Jersey Community Hospital Foundation.