Martens, Erna Goertz (1918-2003)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Dec 5 p. 27

Birth date: 1918 Nov 7

text of obituary:

ERNA MARTENS

Erna Martens died Oct. 11. She was born Nov. 7, 1918 in Neu Samara, Russia to Peter and Maria Goertz. The family emigrated to southern Alberta in 1924. She married George Martens Apr. 10, 1939 and lived on a grain farm in Crowfoot, Alta. In 1944 the family moved to Toronto for Russian language studies. In 1948, they moved to Grand Forks, B.C. to lead a church plant particularly directed toward the Russian community. She ran a "bed and breakfast," hosting many visiting speakers. She was the pianist. She shared her house with the church and made do with a small budget. The home was open to neighbourhood children. She loved to talk about her faith. Predeceased by George, she is mourned by Annette Scheirer, Abbotsford; Ted, Tim and Abe, Grand Forks; Grace McDonald, Toronto; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, 4 brothers.