Martens, Lizzie Friesen (1893-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Jun 11 p. 8

Birth date: 1893 Oct 16

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Henry B. Martens, 76, of Inman, died June 3 at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge after a long illness. The funeral was conducted Saturday afternoon at the Hoffnungsau Church, with Rev. Dick Rempel in charge. Mrs. Martens, the former Lizzie Friesen, married Mr. Martens in 1916. He survives with sons Nick and Wilbur of Inman and John of Chester, Vt.; two daughters, Mrs. Peter Froese and Mrs. Virgil Regehr, both of Inman a brother, Rev. Dietrich Friesen and sister, Mrs. Martin W, Doerksen, both of Inman, 20 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Jul 30 p. 11

text of obituary:

Mrs. H. B. Martens

Friesen was born on Oct. 16, 1893 to Dietrich A. and Agneta Pauls Friesen. She spent her early years on a farm southwest or Inman, Kan. Her school days were spent at the Wellcome school.

In 1912 she felt the need to give her life to Christ, who became her Saviour and Lord. She felt the leading of the Holy Spirit in catechism class, finding peace and forgiveness through the study of the Word of God. She was baptized the same year by Elder Abraham Ratzlaff, becoming a member of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church.

In 1915, the Lord spoke to Henry B. Martens as he was traveling on the road. He also gave his heart and life to Christ. Six days later he met Lizzie Friesen at the wedding of the P. R. Gaedderts. A big rainstorm came up, so he asked Lizzie if he could take her home. She accepted the invitation.

On Oct. 21, 1916, they were married at her parents’ home place under a large tent. Most of their lives were spent on the farm. The first two years were spent on the Martens home place, and the next six years on the Hans Wittorf farm. Then they bought the Friesen home place where they spent 34 more happy years together. In 1958 they decided to retire and had a house built in Inman where they have enjoyed the past 12 years.

Her nature was friendly, meek, loving and forgiving. She was not one that liked to hear criticism, neither did she like to criticize. She rather used her gift from God to change the subject. She always enjoyed the church services, remembering what she heard, and was able to apply it to living.

Through her prayer, love and understanding she has influenced her children and grandchildren to love and serve Christ. She had time and invited her grandchildren as a group to spend nights at her house to play and visit.

We had the privilege of celebrating our 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries at the Hoffnungsau church.

She enjoyed good health till the past few months during which time she suffered greatly. Never complaining, she accepted it as a cross which she needed to bear.

In her transformation from this life to her heavenly home she leaves behind her husband, Henry, and five children and their families: Hilda and Pete Froese, Nick and Wilma Martens, Marie and Virgil Regehr, John and Dorothy Martens, Wilbur and Marcella Martens; 20 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother Rev. Dick Friesen, one sister Anna (Mrs. Martin Doerksen) and a host of relatives and friends Preceding her in death was one son, Elmer, 2 grandchildren who died in infancy, two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were conducted at the Hoffnungsau Church by Rev. T. A. van der Smissen of North Newton and Rev. Dick Rempel, the pastor. — The Husband and Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1970 Jul 14 p. 466