Martens, Hilda Tina Penner (1917-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren herald" obituary: 2001 Nov 23 p. 25

Birth date: 1917 Mar 17

text of obituary:

HILDA TINA MARTENS

Hilda Tina Martens of Swift Current, Sask. passed away Oct. 8. She was born Mar. 17, 1917 to Isaac and Anna Penner at Kelstern, Sask. The family moved to Herbert, Sask. in 1917 and to the Greenfarm district in 1927. She faithfully attended church. She accepted Christ at 12 and was baptized in 1937, joining Greenfarm MB Church. It was on the farm that she learned a strong work ethic and the foundation for her deep faith in God was laid. She loved handwork, quilting and sewing. She attended Herbert Bible School for 2 years. She later joined Herbert MB Church. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and helped in the church. She was a prayer warrior. Her strong, firm, unwavering faith inspired her family and friends. In 1959 she married David R. Martens of Manitou, Man. They farmed near Manitou for 17 years. They attended the Alliance church, where she taught Sunday school and sang. David died of cancer in 1976. She stayed on the farm for a year then moved to Herbert to be close to family. She worked at Herbert Nursing Home for many years. In 1997 she moved to Heritage Towers in Swift Current. She was not one to stay home, made many friends and enjoyed visiting older friends. She is remembered for her faith, hope and joy, her quick sense of humour, her positive attitude, her refusal to complain, her warm smile and her gentle spirit. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life-cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, handwork, visiting, gardening, flowers and farming. She spent many hours with her grandchildren, talking, feeding them and playing games with them. Although she knew little about sports, she wanted to go to all their games. Predeceased by David, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, she is mourned by son Murray of Herbert; daughter Darlene Dyck of Blumenhof, Sask.; 5 grandchildren; and 3 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 12 in Herbert MB Church, with Cliff Janzen and Henry Dueck ministering.