Martens, Mary Neufeld (1915-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Jun 8 p. 28

Birth date:1915 Sep 21

text of obituary:

MARY MARTENS

Mary Martens of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Apr. 16. She was born Sept. 21, 1915 to Heinrich and Sarah Neufeld in Arkadak, Russia. After leaving Russia, the family spent some time in Germany and then came to Holmfield, Man. June 24, 1930. She went to school for a short time, then helped at home and on the farm. At 15, she went to work as a housekeeper in Winnipeg. She was baptized in September 1935 by C. Huber in Winnipeg. She attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School 1939-40. She married John J. Martens July 20, 1941 in Holmfield. They first lived in Winnipeg and then in various places, including Vancouver, Arnold, B.C., Richmond, B.C., Burdett, Alta., Calgary and Abbotsford. She stayed at home, caring for her children, but later in life worked as kitchen and housekeeping staff at Foothills Hospital in Calgary and then Pearson Hospital in Vancouver until retirement. On Nov. 30, 1969, they joined Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. In retirement, they moved to Evergreen Village. They travelled and visited children. After John died in 1992, she lived on her own for 7 years, then moved successively to Bevan Lodge, Menno Home and Menno Hospital. A special verse was 2 Cor. 12:9. Predeceased by John, she is mourned by daughters Linda Rempel of Calgary, Leona Willms of Chilliwack, B.C. and Viola Schierling and Irene Doerksen, both of Abbotsford; sons Ed of Carstairs, Alta., Ernie of Calgary, Art of Carstairs and Bill and Walter, both of Calgary; 32 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 6 brothers and 2 sisters. A memorial service was held Apr. 20 in Bakerview MB Church, with Michael Dick and Wilmer Kornelson ministering.