Martha Cress, passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2008. Memorials preferred to Roswell Assurance Home at 1000 E. 19th St., Roswell, N.M., 88201. She is survived by her husband Robert Cress, of Roswell, N.M.; five children, Anna Ericsson of Peoria, Ill., Ruth Liyama of Everett, Wash., Josh Cress of St. Paul, Matt Cress of Albuquerque, N.M. and Eve Carnell of Seattle, Wash; 10 grandchildren; and brothers, Paul Raisanen of Cokato and Niilo Raisanen of Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Mary Raisanen, and her sister, Mary Ann Kivisto. Martha was born on June 9, 1923, in Cokato to Nels and Mary Raisanen. She attended Gunnary School and graduated from Annandale High School in 1941. 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 lieutenant in the Army Nursing Corps and was stationed at Camp Carson, Colo. After the war, she returned to the university for more study. Shortly thereafter she met and married her one true love, Robert H. Cress. They moved to Texas and then in the 1950s moved to Roswell, N.M. They raised their five children there and in 1965 Martha returned to nursing. She was Chaves County’s first home health nurse. In 1967 she designed and taught the first nurses aide class at Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell (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 graduated. She spent 21 years as Director of Nursing for ENMU-R before retiring at the age of 64. She had also graduated with a master’s degree in psychology and student personnel at UNMU in Portales, N.M. 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 a member and then chairwoman of the New Mexico Board of Nursing. During her lifetime, she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Petro Club and Altrusa. 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. Martha loved to travel, especially to see her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed the Opera Camp in Santa Fe for several years. She was truly blessed to have led an active life.
