Martens, John Robert (1911-2005)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 20005 Sep 2 p. 27

Birth date: 1911 May 19

text of obituary:

JOHN ROBERT Martens

john Robert Martens died june 6. He was born May 19, 1911 in Rueckenau, Ukraine to ~lo4illillliil~", john P. and Helen Martens. His mother died in 1916 and his father remarried in 1918. The family im- migrated to Canada in 1924. They worked as labourers on farms in Ontario and Manitoba, moving to Coaldale, Alta. in 1929. They op- erated Del Monte General Store until 1946. john R., together with brother Pete, took over the business that later became the IGA Supermarket and ran it until 1967. john ac- cepted jesus Christ, was baptized and joined Coaldale MB Church in 1933. He attended Coaldale Bible School 1 year. He married Susie Wiebe Aug. 8, 1937. In 1967 they re- tired to Abbotsford, joining Bakerview MB Church. In retirement, he worked in real es- tate and helped his son -in-law farm in Mani- toba. He was a good businessman, an en- courager, and a gracious and grateful gen- tleman. Predeceased by Susie, son Orlando and 1 brother, he is mourned by son john of Coaldale; daughters Loretta Fournier of Ab- botsford, Trudy Ulsrud of Toronto and Debbi Thiessen of Griswold, Man.; 1 sister; 3 broth- ers. The funeral was june lOin Bakerview MB Church with Ray Harris ministering.