Martha Martens

Martha Eleanor Martens, 88, of Buhl, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, went home to her heavenly mansion on Sunday morning, September 22, 2013 at Desert View Care Center in Buhl.

Martha was born April 16, 1925 in the Clover parsonage, to Walter and Ida Rodenbeck Dannenfeldt, the youngest of their four daughters. She was baptized, confirmed and a life-long member of Clover Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended Clover Lutheran School through eighth grade and graduated from Filer High School in 1943. She learned shorthand and was a stenographer for Peavey-Taber Co. for several years. She married Donald Martens on Dec. 1, 1946, and they farmed and ranched on the Clover Tract until their retirement in 1992. She lived on the homeplace for 65 years until moving to assisted living in 2011.

Martha was Donald's true helpmate through the 61 years they were married. She cooked, cleaned, canned and took care of five children while also helping with outside chores when needed. She drove the chuckwagon (pick-up) behind the cattle herd, baby sitting the small grandsons on the annual cattle drives.

She went with Donald to visit the elderly members of Clover and play the sermon tapes for them. She worked countless hours in the Farm Bureau booth at the Twin Falls County Fair, taking and serving food orders, while Donald fried burgers. She was a life long member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and helped serve food at many area auctions and also helped cook and serve hot lunch to the Clover School children. She was Donald's sole caregiver for 13 years after his stroke.

Martha loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus and was a wonderful Christian example to her children, eight grandsons and ten great-grandchildren. They will always remember her unconditional love and daily prayers for all of them. Grammy also loved Chinese food, pizza parties, picnics and corn dogs at the County Fair. She never lost her beautiful smile and her ability to make us laugh with her witty German expressions.

Martha is survived by four children, Jane Lewis, of Dubois, Priscilla Martens and Miriam (Tom) Garrison of Buhl, Rev. Matthew (Mary) Martens of Fort Dodge, Iowa; grandsons, Ric (Cheryl) Lewis, Rudi (Marissa) Lewis, Martin Lewis, Ben Martens, Dan Martens, Jesse (Kris) Garrison, Joel (Megan) Garrison, Jay (Ashley) Garrison; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Erica, Cassie, Lindsey, Nick, Jett, Jace, Jerett, Jaren, and Jantz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; daughter, Marlene and sisters, Irmgard Kaster, Paula Lierman and Melba Arambarri.

A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at Clover Trinity Lutheran Church. A private burial will be held at the Clover Lutheran Cemetery prior to the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Farmer Funeral Chapel of Buhl.

The family suggests memorials be made to Clover Trinity Lutheran Church or Clover Christian School.
The family would like to extend their thanks, to the staff at Desert View Care Center, for their loving care for Martha.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 (Martha's confirmation verse, April 2, 1939).