Martens, John B. (1887-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Feb 13 p. 8

Birth date: 1887 Feb 16

text of obituary:

. . .

• Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martens of Elkhart, Ind. found it necessary to cancel their speaking engagements in this area the past weekend and early this week because of the death of Mr. Martens' father, John B. Martens of Buhler, which occurred Saturday at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson. Mr. Martens had been scheduled to speak at the Pretty Prairie Mennonite Church on Sunday morning and the Newton First Mennonite Church on Sunday morning and the Newton First Mennonite Church on Sunday evening. Funeral services for the elder Mr. Martens were held Tuesday afternoon at the Hoffnungsau Church near Inman, of which he was a member, with Rev. Dick Rempel officiating. He was a retired farmer and a lifelong resident of the Buhler community. Surviving are the widow, Justina; sons Harry of Elkhart, Menno of Buhler, and John of Hartsdale, N. Y.; two daughters, Mrs. Irvin R. Schmidt of Buhler and Mrs. Norman Enns of Guymon, Okla.; two brothers, one sister, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Feb 27 p. 11

text of obituary:

JOHN B. MARTENS

John B. Martens, one of eight children of John and Anna Balzer Martens, was born on Feb. 16, 1887 in Reno County, Kansas. He was called to meet his Maker on Feb. 8, 1969, reaching the age of 82 years less eight days.

His childhood was spent in Reno and McPherson counties, where he also received his education. On June 16, 1907 he was baptized by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff and remained a faithful member of the Hoffnungsau church until his death.

On March 30, 1910 he was joined in marriage with Justina Ediger, who survives him. They enjoyed more than 58 years of happiness together. To this union three sons and two daughters were born, all of whom survive.

We remember our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather as one who thoroughly enjoyed life, who had many friends and sincerely loved his family. His great joy later in life were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In a special way we remember him as a man who worked hard and always maintained a young spirit. Besides his regular work he was active in community affairs with a constant interest in the life and program of the church.

Our parents were engaged in farming for 42 years and retired to their home at Buhler, Kan. in 1958. This home they enjoyed so much until 1966 when mother's health made it necessary for them to establish residence in the Buhler Sunshine Home. Here again they experienced two happy years of Christian fellowship with other residents.

Those left to mourn his departure are his beloved wife and our mother, the children, Harry and Olga Martens of Elkhart, Ind., Lydia and Irvin Schmidt of Buhler, Menno and Lena Martens of Buhler, John and Louise Martens, Hartsdale, New York, Velma and Norman Enns, Guymon, Okla.; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Abraham and Henry; one sister, Katie, Mrs. P. H. Ediger, and a host of friends. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1969 Feb 25 p. 137