Martens, Nick (1923-2010)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2010 Jul 12 p. 13

Birth date: 1923 Feb 5

text of obituary:

NICK MARTENS

Nick Martens, 87, of Inman, Kan., died June 23, 2010. He was born Feb. 5, 1923, to Henry and Lizzie Friesen Martens. He grew up on a farm near Inman.

In his first year of grade school he contracted polio, which paralyzed his arms and legs. With patience, therapy and many prayers, he gradually regained strength and after three months was carried into Lake Valley School. By fifth grade he could run and play and continued to gain strength. He attended Inman High School.

On Aug. 30, 1947, he married Wilma Friesen at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel. They established their home in Inman. After the birth and death of twin sons, Dennis and Darrell, in 1949, they became parents to four additional sons.

In 1945 he became a partner at Inman Electric. He helped bring electricity to farms in McPherson County. They added plumbing, furnaces, appliances and electronics to the business. He was pleased that sons Orlin and Eldon continued in the business in 1992. He served as a volunteer fireman for 10 years, on the Inman City Council, 16 years as a school board member, on the Pleasant View Home building committee and later on the board, and then in retirement at Inman Grade School assisting students.

He was baptized at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church on May 12, 1940, and maintained his membership for more than 70 years. He lived his faith quietly and was supportive of the church and its programs in many ways including the camping program at Camp Mennoscah, doing voluntary service by taking his family to Chicago in 1965, and assisting with the MCC relief sale.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma; four sons, Delon and his wife, Joretta, Orlin and his wife, Debbie, Weldon and his wife, Jenny, and Eldon and his wife, Cindy; two sisters, Hilda Froese and Marie Regehr; two brothers, John and Wilbur; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Elmer; infant twin sons, Darrell and Dennis; and a grandson, Graham.