Katherine Martens died Apr. 12, 2009 at 95. She was born Apr. 11, 1914 in Neuendorf, South Russia to Peter and Anna Hildebrandt. Her father died in her very early years, and her mother and siblings immigrated to Canada in 1923. They set down roots in Herbert, Sask. After high school, Katherine trained as a nurse at Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw. She worked in Herbert, Winnipeg, and Winkler, Man. In 1941, Katherine married her long-time sweetheart Leander Martens. They began married life in Sudbury Ont., lived in various Saskatchewan towns, then in 1948 moved to Bradner, B.C., where Katherine lived until her move to Menno Home in Abbotsford. Gardening was her special joy and though she became blind in middle age, she did not let that keep her from weeding, knitting, canning, baking, weaving, and many other household tasks. She was president of the Abbotsford CNIB and worked diligently to encourage others who were going through the trauma of blindness. Katherine had a strong faith in God on whom she relied to give her strength. She never complained but chose to trust God and rejoice in her circumstances. Katherine and Leander attended Ross Road Community Church. Predeceased by Leander, son John, great-granddaughters Flannery and Mercy Collins, 1 sister; Katherine is mourned by children Janice (Dennis) Friesen, daughter-in-law Patricia Martens, Kent Martens, David (Beverly) Martens; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 1 brother.
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