It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Martens (nee Andres), beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend. Mary was born January 29, 1937, in her home at Arabella, SK to Gerhard and Katharina Andres. She grew up on the family farm, and as a young teen, accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour. In 1956, Mary began attending Steinbach Bible Institute and received her diploma in 1961. She was involved in teaching children through Child Evangelism Fellowship as well. Mary decided to finish high school and received her High School Diploma in 1963. She then attended Manitoba Teacher’s College to get her Teaching Certificate in 1964. Mary took an elementary school teaching position in High Bluff, MB and then Hodgson, MB. After her fourth year of teaching, Mary was asked to teach the children of a missionary couple in La Esperanza, Chaco, in Paraguay, South America. When that job ended, she got another position teaching in a German School in Lucerno, East Paraguay. After two years, she prayerfully considered a new invitation and moved to Belize to teach in a Mennonite school for two and half years, prior to returning to Canada. Back in Manitoba, she taught in Schanzenfeld for two years, near Winkler. Then the Lord provided her with a job as Acting Superintendent at the Christian Youth Centre under the Union Gospel Mission, working with women and children, from 1975 - 1979. In 1980 Mary took a six-month teaching contract in Plum Coulee, MB. Then she decided to attend Red River Community College to receive her Nurse’s Assistant Certificate and took a job with Public Health, providing home care services until 1982. Later, Mary held the position of coordinator of Child Evangelism Fellowship for the Winkler Area for about ten years.
In 1981, Mary met her husband, Jerry Martens. They were married on May 15, 1982. Together, they had many opportunities to bless their community, including providing childcare, fostering children, being dorm parents at Winkler Bible Institute, and sharing their home with people in need. Mary and Jerry also served as a deacon couple at their church and were very involved with Fisher Bay Bible Camp.
In her later years, Mary enjoyed reunions with family and people with whom she had worked, including a trip back to Belize. Mary went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 2, 2024.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 42 years, Jerry Martens; her sisters Margaret Durell and Susanna Klassen; numerous nieces and nephews; and her “adopted” family, David and Margaret Stewart and their family.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Gerhard and Katharina Andres; her sister Tina Spratt; and her brothers, Johann Andres, George Andres, and Jacob Andres.
Mary will be deeply missed and always remembered for loving the Lord and others, caring and sharing, and being a servant.
In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations may be made to:
Fisher Bay Bible Camp
22-49 Clearspring Road
Steinbach, MB, R5G 1V2
In 1981, Mary met her husband, Jerry Martens. They were married on May 15, 1982. Together, they had many opportunities to bless their community, including providing childcare, fostering children, being dorm parents at Winkler Bible Institute, and sharing their home with people in need. Mary and Jerry also served as a deacon couple at their church and were very involved with Fisher Bay Bible Camp.
In her later years, Mary enjoyed reunions with family and people with whom she had worked, including a trip back to Belize. Mary went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 2, 2024.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 42 years, Jerry Martens; her sisters Margaret Durell and Susanna Klassen; numerous nieces and nephews; and her “adopted” family, David and Margaret Stewart and their family.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Gerhard and Katharina Andres; her sister Tina Spratt; and her brothers, Johann Andres, George Andres, and Jacob Andres.
Mary will be deeply missed and always remembered for loving the Lord and others, caring and sharing, and being a servant.
In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations may be made to:
Fisher Bay Bible Camp
22-49 Clearspring Road
Steinbach, MB, R5G 1V2