Martens, Sara Braun (1910-1999)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Feb 4 p. 28

Birth Date: 1910 Sept 15

text of obituary:

SARA MARTENS

Sara Martens of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 3. She was born Sept. 15, 1910 to Heinrich and Anna Braun. They lived in Alexandrowka, Siberia. At an early age, she accepted Christ, led by Katarina Hiebert, her aunt and Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed Sunday school, where she learned many hymns which blessed her later in life. She sang in the choir. She married Jacob Martens Jan. 26, 1928, sewing her dress and his suit for the occasion. Heinrich bought a small farm for them. In 1929 they immigrated to Canada. After working near Clairmont, Alta. for a year, they moved to La Glace, Alta. to farm. Here they rededicated their lives to Christ. In 1931 they were baptized, joining La Glace MB Church. She sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. In 1945 they moved to a dairy farm on Fairfield Island, B.C. In 1948 a son died in infancy, and their farm flooded. They later moved to Sardis, B.C., where they raised cattle and grew cash crops. They moved to Chilliwack, B.C. and later to Clearbrook, B.C. In 1981 Jacob died. Sara leaned on God's promise that He would never leave or forsake her. She joined Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford. She sewed dresses, blankets and other items for her grandchildren, and hundreds of blankets for MCC, and kept in contact with many friends by doing alterations. In 1996 she had asthma attacks and found it difficult to walk. In November 1996 she moved to Menno Home. She continued to sew for MCC. She found strength in Psalm 50:15. Her prayer was that all her family would come to know the Lord. Predeceased by Jacob, she is mourned by sons Jake and George; 5 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 7 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen and Jay Neufeld ministering.