Martens, Helena Peters (1884-1979)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 Mar 30 p. 30

Birth date: 1884 Mar 12

text of obituary:

MRS. HELENA MARTENS

(Mrs.) Helena Martens of Herbert, Sask. passed away on February 10. She was born to Daniel and Aganetha (nee Friesen) Peters on March 12, 1884 in Nikolaipol, southern Russia. She lived in a godly home and was brought up in the fear of the Lord. On March 24, 1907 she was married to Peter Martens, son of Jacob J. Martens. They moved to Andreasfeld where her husband went into his father's business. During the war her husband served in the Red Cross. During and after the Revolution, the couple and their friends lived in fear many times; but many people accepted Christ as Saviour in this time. Some people were murdered, others died of typhoid, and many children were left as orphans. The couple adopted two orphans, Herman Heinrichs and Katharine Kampen from Eichenfeld. In 1923 the family moved to Canada, arriving in Herbert on August 8 to the welcome of Aaron Doerksens. They moved onto a farm at Turnhill, and in 1928 they were baptized and received into the Bethania Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1958 her husband became ill and died soon after. Helena then moved into Herbert, then to the Senior Citizens' Home, and finally last year to the Nursing Home.

The children are thankful to God for giving them parents who were praying for them and who taught them to love the Lord. Mrs. Martens is survived by her son Herman and wife Susie of Niverville, Man., and by her daughter Katherine and husband John Tilitzky; by five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; by one sister and many other relatives and friends. Officiating in the February 14 funeral service at the Herbert Church were pastor Jacob Pauls and Jacob Dyck.