Martens, Lynn Allen (1954-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jun 3 p. 3

Birth date: 1954 Nov 15

text of obituary:

Kansas Youth Fatally Injured When Car Hits Motorcycle

Buhler, Kan. — An accident four miles east of here Monday evening claimed the life of Lynn Martens, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Menno Martens of rural Buhler.

The youth was riding a motorcycle, traveling west, when it was hit from the rear by a west-bound auto. The driver, a young man from Hutchinson, said he failed to see the motorcycle in time to avoid hitting it. Lynn was dead on arrival at a Hutchinson hospital.

The youth was a member of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church where the funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 June 10 p. 8

text of obituary:

. . .

— A largely attended funeral took place Thursday afternoon at the Hoffnungsau Church near Inman as services were held for Lynn Allen Martens, 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Menno Martens of Buhler who was fatally injured May 31 when the motorcycle he was riding was struck by a car on Dutch Avenue east of Buhler. Rev. Dick Rempel officiated at the services. Surviving in addition to the parents are four brothers, Larry of Newton, Les of Topeka, Lewis of Downey, Calif., and Lyle of Upland, Calif.; and a grandmother, Mrs. John B. Martens of Buhler.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jul 22 p. 11

text of obituary:

LYNN MARTENS

Shortly before dark before on the cloudy evening of May 31, 1971, Memorial Day, Lynn Allen Martens was killed in a motorcycle accident. Two friends had come to the farmyard a little earlier in the evening. When they headed back home, Lynn joined them on his cycle to say goodnight, unknowingly for the last time. On the way back home he was accidentally struck from behind by a car, and killed instantly.

Lynn is survived by his parents, Menno and Lena Martens of rural Buhler, Kan.; four brothers, Lyle of Upland, Calif., Louis of Downey, Calif., Les of Topeka, Kan., Larry and wife Joann and Karina of North Newton, Kan.; and many friends and relatives.

Lynn was born at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton on Nov. 15, 1954. He spent all of his lifetime living on his parents' farm four and a half miles east of Buhler. He began school at Willis Grade School, graduated from Buhler Grade School, had finished freshman year in Buhler High School and was looking forward to spending a happy summer at home working for his parents and neighbors. Only two days before his passing he had received his first check for working, from his uncle Irvin. This thrilled him very much — his first pay check.

He will be missed by his many friends who it seemed were always calling him or stopping by to see him. Lynn kept a list of these names and their phone numbers. These close friends served as his pall bearers and honorary bearers. It seemed that he liked everyone and everyone liked him.

Lynn was a happy boy, full of life, and boundless in spirit. He enjoyed working out-of-doors and had in the last two years become more and more interested in 4-H, motorcycles and cars. He was particularly fond of riding his motorcycle.

We'll remember Lynn for his large brown eyes and his reserved manner. He was quiet, especially around adults, but always had a sense of humor and a sensitive observant nature.

Lynn was proud of his work, and very neat and particular in his personal appearance, and enjoyed helping his folks on the farm. The riding mower that he begged Dad to buy only 10 days before his death was the best present Lynn could have gotten. Ironically he finished mowing the yard only ten minutes before his death.

Lynn will be missed by all of us. Especially his parents will find it difficult to adjust to his absence. Though we will no longer see his face, his friendly smile will stay with us forever. — The Parents and Brothers.

The Mennonite obituary: 1971 Jun 29 p. 431