Martens, Theodore C. (1919-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Feb 28 p. 24

Birth date: 1919 Nov 7

text of obituary:

THEODOR C. MARTENS

Theodor C. Martens of Altona, Man. passed away Dec. 14. He was born Nov. 7, 1919 to Cornelius and Katrina Martens in Chortitza, Ukraine. His father died of typhus 2 months later. He and his mother immigrated to Canada in August 1927. His mother married David Dick 2 years later; from him Theodor learned a love for farming and the ministry. He accepted Christ Dec. 4, 1938. He was baptized in August 1939 in Saskatoon and joined the MB church. He studied at Bethany Bible Institute and earned a B.Th. from MB Bible College in Winnipeg in 1950. In 1946 he married Frieda Willms in Steinbach, Man. They worked with Western Children's Mission 1 year. He earned a BA from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. They went to Congo as MB missionaries in 1954, serving almost 5 years till forced home by malaria. He began teaching school in Niverville, Man., earned his B.Ed. in 1965 and was one of the ministers in Niverville, MB Church. In 1975 they moved to Altona, where he taught and served as a minister in Horndean MB Church. He later helped start the MB church in Altona. A silent heart attack sapped his energy. In retirement he enjoyed reading, writing the family history, visiting his children, camping and fishing. Predeceased by son Robert and 1 sister, he is mourned by Frieda; daughters Carol Pritcher of Knoxville, Tenn. and Elizabeth Hiebert of Ryley, Alta.; 6 grandchildren; and 2 sisters. The funeral was Dec. 21 in South Park MB Church, Altona, with Ken Neufeld ministering.