Mary Martens (nee Friesen)

Obituary

Mary Martens (nee Friesen) of Grunthal formerly of Winnipeg, born on May 4,1929 passed away peacefully on June 22, 2022, at 93 years.

Mary will remain in the hearts of daughter Vivian Hinther (Mark), son Harvey (Linda), daughter-in-law Doris and grandchildren: Desiree, Damara (Gareth), Christy (Carl), Denise, Elisa (Trevor), Kyla (Jeff), Breanne (Nic), Randy (Jen), Terry, Kyle (Lindsay) and Darren (Ana). Mary loved and enjoyed her 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sister Gertie Klassen and brother Dick Friesen (Betty).

She was predeceased by husband Ben (2006), son Gary (2016) and three sisters and three brothers.

Mom was born in Horndean, MB to Rev. Cornelius and Helena Friesen, the fourth of nine children. She was baptized on June 2, 1947, in Grunthal Bergthaler Church. She caught Ben T. Martens’ eye with her ringlets in Sunday School and they married on August 28, 1952. They lived on the farm where Ben grew up until 1959 when they moved with their three children to Winnipeg.

Mom had many talents including sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She was an excellent cook and painted beautiful oil paintings that have found a special place in many of our homes. Over the years, Mom and Dad enjoyed purchasing, refinishing, and upholstering antique furniture. Mom was very talented at making something amazing out of very little. She took a man’s heavy coat and remade it into a woman’s coat. Among many other things she also sewed wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Gardening, indoor plants and flowers were always a passion for Mom.

Mom and Dad enjoyed travel to Europe, Ontario, Western Canada, Cuba, and a number of States in the US.

Mom had many vocations in life including supporting Dad in caring for disabled adults and at-risk youth in Winnipeg and southern Ontario. At age 51 she realized a lifelong dream to be a nurse. She found tremendous joy & satisfaction working as an LPN in the Surgery Ward at Seven Oaks hospital for over 15 years. Using many of her acquired skills, we admired how tirelessly & lovingly she cared for Dad through his cancer journey.

She was a loving, nurturing mom and grandmother who enjoyed spending time and helping her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was more than happy to stay with the grandchildren so that we could go on vacations or have a day without our children.

Mom and Dad were members of Charleswood Mennonite Church where they enjoyed the fellowship and growing their faith with many lifelong friends. They enjoyed many social functions and especially regular lunches at a restaurant after church services on Sunday mornings. They lived in nine homes in 53 years of marriage.

After Dad passed away Mom was very independent and enjoyed living close to her sisters and brothers, spending time playing games and other social activities. Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer at about 77 years surviving an operation, chemo, and radiation.

Many family members and friends supported and helped mom. Thank you to everyone that was so willing and generous with their time. Mom lived the last seven years in Greendale Estates and Menno Home. We thank the many very wonderful nurses and support staff who became mom’s family whom she grew to love and appreciate so much!

Cremation has taken place.

The memorial service for Mary will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Manitoba.

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