Martens, Erna Goertz (1918-2003)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Sec 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 Pe- ter 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 lan- guage 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, Toron- to; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, 4 brothers.