Martha Sue (Keene) Schwebach

Martha Sue (Keene) Schwebach was born on February 3, 1939 in Pratt Kansas to Sidney and Alice (Sanko) Keene in Kansas, with siblings, Sam, John and Pat. She passed away on July 9th 2025 of natural causes at the age of 86. She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Donald Eugene Schwebach, as well as their four children Doug (Laura Jean), Cyndi (Todd Schatzman), Daryl (Matthew Rodriquez), and Dean (Ivellise) Schwebach with twelve grandchildren Lauren and Justin; Steph, Carson and Grant; Christina; Nathan, Ellysia, Dominic, Addie, Thomas and Elena, and four living great grandchildren with three more in heaven.

She graduated from a Pilot program at UNM’s School of Medicine in 1969 and became the Nation’s First Family Nurse Practitioner in order to provide expanded medical care in rural settings. She lovingly provided care to multiple generations in the Estancia Valley at the Hope Medical Center in Estancia, Moriarty Medical Clinic, and Central New Mexico Medical Center and Urgent Care Center. (See Wikipedia page under Martha K. Schwebach)

She was honored by President Gerald Ford as the recipient of “Ten Outstanding Young Women of America.” She also received the “NM Governors Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women” and the “Nursing Legacy Award” from the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence. Her Resume is full of publications, professional affiliations, and achievements as she lectured across the United States regarding the “new” emerging role of the Family Nurse Practitioner. She began her nursing career in 1960 when she moved to NM, and retired in 2006 to travel with her husband across the country for 13 years before residing at the Montebello in Albuquerque with a beautiful view of the mountains.

Martha was a creative woman who loved her family, photography, gardening, painting, and hosting family gatherings with the finest table settings. She and Don owned and operated the Schwebach Farm in Moriarty, known for their pinto beans and sweet corn, until they sold the farm to Dean and Ivellise to continue the legacy.

If you would like funeral information send condolences or share a memory of Martha, you can do so on the Harris-Hanlon Mortuary website, www.harris-hanlonmortuary.com .