MARY MARTENS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY MARTENS Mary (Dueck) Martens was born in Kistendej, Saratov, Russia on March 22, 1918. She was the sixth child of Heinrich and Maria Dueck. Her mother died when Mary was only three. Within a year her father married Katherine Dyck who became mother to the Dueck family. In 1926, because of the Russian revolution the family immigrated to to Canada. They arrived in Quebec and then travelled west to Manitoba, settling initially near Manitou where she attended Willow Bluff School. The family then moved to Desford for a year and finally to a farm just north of Minto, Mary completed Grade 11 in Minto school and wished she could have had more schooling. She also took a sewing course and became a seamstress. As well she learned to play the piano and would sometimes accompany congregational singing. Mary insisted that her own children take piano lessons. At the age of 11, after attending an evangelistic meeting in Manitou, Mary committed her life to God. The following October she was baptized in the icy water of a nearby lake. At a Saengerfest near Mountainside Mary's solo "It is Well With my Soul" (accompanied by herself on the autoharp) was noticed by Jacob Martens. Jake loved singing and this was one of his favourite songs. Mary and Jake were married in the Minto United Church, Mary tells the story of how the women of the community decorated the church and the barn loft with lilacs. Since this was wartime sugar was rationed, so instead of cake they had meat patties and Plumi Moos (fruit soup). They started their life together on a farm near Enterprise for 23 years where five children were born and raised. Her steadfast faith maintained her positive spirit amidst all the work of chores, gardening, and raising a family. The Lena Mennonite Brethren Church was their place of worship and also the canter of their social life. Mom enjoyed visiting and travelling, including family trips to Clear Lake, Banff, British Columbia and the Black Hills. A highlight was Mary and Jake's trip to Israel and Switzerland with the Janz Team in 1975. They also made many trips to visit their children in Thompson, Flin Flon, Regina, Sacramento and Toronto. In June 1966 the family moved to a farm one mile north of Boissevain. Here they farmed until 1983 when they moved to Boissevain to a new house across the street from the Boissevain Mennonite Brethren Church where they worshipped. Visitors were always welcome for visiting and meals. Her signature dish was "pie by the yard". Jake passed away April 9, 2000. Mary moved to Westview Lodge in 2005 and then into Evergreen Place in 2010. Mary benefited greatly from all the loving care she received, especially in the later years when she became wheelchair bound and needed a lot of care. We are thankful to all the workers who appreciated her unique character, unpredictable comments, and listened to her repertoire of memorized poems and songs. Mary passed away peacefully on February 7, 2017. We, the family, remember her for her positive outlook on life. She lived her life in a practical way and was always willing to encourage and help others. In the last years her greatest desire was to "go up" to her eternal home. Mary was predeceased by her parents, her husband Jacob, her son David, her brothers Henry, Bernard, Peter, and Abram and her sisters Anne and Elizabeth. She is survived by her brother John (Lois) Dyck; her sister Katie Peters; her son John (Gwen), Ryan, Steven (Allison Eidse), Erin; daughter Irene Deckert (Lyle), David (Sarah), Katherine; daughter-in-law Emmy, Kevin (Monica), Ramona Wiebe (Lincoln), Trevor (Susan), Kerri Kincaid (Dan); daughter Helen Penner (Ken), Christina (James Paul), Rob (Lee Mazurak), John (Laurinda), Anita (Eric Postma); and son Ben (Ellen), Jessica (Denton Nestibo), Heidi (Joel Coursey), Clarice, Jill; and 22 great-grandchildren.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 25, 2017