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MARTENS: On March 1, 2017, Gerard Henry Martens passed away at the age of 95 years. Gerry was born on December 18, 1921 in St. Alphonse, MB to Henry Martens and Sylvia De Vreeze. On October 7, 1947, he married Antoinette De Meuleneire in Bruxelles Roman Catholic Church. They farmed in St. Alphonse till 1970. They sold their farm to Bob and Yvonne Cnudde and moved to Brandon. Gerry worked at Simplot and Brandon General Hospital as a security guard. He retired at the age of 65. He enjoyed biking, walking and loved gardening. He also loved music, playing his mouth-organ and the accordion. He was a man of great faith. Gerry helped with St. Augustine’s Church for 20 years and he was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. Gerry is survived by his loving wife, Antoinette, and his four children: Marlene (late Norbert) Vanwynsberghe, Lorraine (Gary) Lippens, Rita (Rick Szczepanski) Martens and Dale Martens. Gerry is also survived by his 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren: Tammy, Denis, Tylyn and Tanner Riddle; Colleen Vanwynsberghe and Brad Smith, Brittany and Brielle; Carlos, Theresa, Brooke and Jaxson Vanwynsberghe; Rick, Tiffany and Emma Lippens; Sherri, Curt, Jeremy, Shaylyn and Connor Johnson; Tanis, Dave, Kaitlyn, Christian and Aiden Nicholson. Gerry was predeceased by his brothers Rene, Maurice (Helen), August (Anna), sisters Maria (Jerome Wytinck), Clare (Albert De Smet), and Madeleine (Maurice De Vlieger), and son-in-law Norbert Vanwynsberghe. Gerry was never the same after suffering an aneurysm 10 years ago. He was amazing as he carried this cross. In December, he was admitted to Brandon Regional Health Centre and was awaiting to go into a personal care home. He had a hard time accepting this news. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, 327 – 4th Street, Brandon on Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Prayers will be held prior to the service at 1:30 p.m. Donations in memory of Gerard may be made to Special Olympics Manitoba, 145 Pacific Ave #304, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6 or the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.
As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 07, 2017