1924
Clarence
2011
Clarence Martens
May 27, 1924 — March 8, 2011
Clarence Martens, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in Sisseton, SD.
Funeral Services for Clarence Martens will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley, MN. Visitation will be on Friday, March 11, 2011 from 6-8:00 PM at Larson Funeral Home in Graceville. Burial will be at Midway Cemetery in the spring.
Clarence John Martens was born in Folsom township, near Browns Valley, Mn on May 27, 1924 to his parents, John and Emily (Oldhaver) Martens. He was baptized June 5, 1924 and was confirmed April 2, 1939. He lived in Folsom township until he was 7, when the family moved to a farm northeast of Wheaton, where he attended District 46 country school until 8th grade. He enjoyed school, where he was inspired by a wonderful teacher and where he met a life long friend. He developed a passion for farming during his youth. He raised and sold a sheep, and used the profits to buy a pig from his dad, which he also raised and sold. He did the family gardening and was allowed to have his own plot from which he sold produce. He felt it was quite an accomplishment when he was "old" enough to work for neighbors. He loved working with threshing crews and picking corn by hand.
In 1942, he and his parents moved to Foster town ship, which brought them back to the Beardsley area, where his parents had many life long friends, including the Graumann family. Eventually, he was reacquainted with Dorathy Graumann, whom he recalled seeing on occasion as a child. They were married November 16, 1947 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley, Mn. They farmed on a couple of different farms in Foster town ship, including a picturesque farm they referred to as "the hollow," Later in life, they remembered those years as the best time of their life. In 1952 they moved to a farm in Browns Valley town ship near Beardsley. In 1966 they moved to the farm his grandfather had homesteaded in 1878. He and Dorathy were hard working dairy farmers who provided a loving and happy home for their five children Judy, Betty, Faye, Dan, and Rick.
In 1976, their son Rick joined Clarence and Dorathy in their dairy farm venture. Clarence was a strong advocate for the survival of the family farm and loved to reminisce about the early years of farming, going back to the years his dad used horses to farm. He loved to play whist, and taught the game to his children. He also loved being entertained by his children and grandchildren at special occasions, like their 50th wedding anniversary.
In the early years of farming, he was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran church, and when time permitted, he enjoyed Sunday afternoon outings with his family, which offered him opportunities to share stories and see places he enjoyed. He was a great story teller and when his health restricted physical activities he penned several volumes in which he shared memories of people he loved and experiences he treasured. He still had a great recollection of dates and events in local history and he was very thankful he was able to remain in his own home, being cared for by his son Rick, until his recent hospitalization.
On March 8th, the birthday of his wonderful wife and love of his life, he was reunited with her in his heavenly home at the age of 86. Clarence will be missed and remembered by his loving children, Judy (Ron) Svenddal of Ham Lake, Betty Martens of Graceville, Mn.; Faye (Leonard) Cook of Moorhead: Dan(Karen) Martens of Foley, Mn. and Rick Martens of Beardsley; his 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother-in law Elmer (Ursula) Graumann, and one cousin, Kay Nelson of Eagle Bend.
Clarence is preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorathy; his parents, John and Emilie; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Vern Nickel; and his brother and sister-in-law Leonard and Irma Martens; and an infant grand-daughter. He is also preceded in death by his wife's siblings and their spouses; Elsie and Harvey Mattson; Helen and Gordon Baxter; Otto Graumann,; and Harvey and Dona Graumann.
Funeral Services for Clarence Martens will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley, MN. Visitation will be on Friday, March 11, 2011 from 6-8:00 PM at Larson Funeral Home in Graceville. Burial will be at Midway Cemetery in the spring.
Clarence John Martens was born in Folsom township, near Browns Valley, Mn on May 27, 1924 to his parents, John and Emily (Oldhaver) Martens. He was baptized June 5, 1924 and was confirmed April 2, 1939. He lived in Folsom township until he was 7, when the family moved to a farm northeast of Wheaton, where he attended District 46 country school until 8th grade. He enjoyed school, where he was inspired by a wonderful teacher and where he met a life long friend. He developed a passion for farming during his youth. He raised and sold a sheep, and used the profits to buy a pig from his dad, which he also raised and sold. He did the family gardening and was allowed to have his own plot from which he sold produce. He felt it was quite an accomplishment when he was "old" enough to work for neighbors. He loved working with threshing crews and picking corn by hand.
In 1942, he and his parents moved to Foster town ship, which brought them back to the Beardsley area, where his parents had many life long friends, including the Graumann family. Eventually, he was reacquainted with Dorathy Graumann, whom he recalled seeing on occasion as a child. They were married November 16, 1947 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley, Mn. They farmed on a couple of different farms in Foster town ship, including a picturesque farm they referred to as "the hollow," Later in life, they remembered those years as the best time of their life. In 1952 they moved to a farm in Browns Valley town ship near Beardsley. In 1966 they moved to the farm his grandfather had homesteaded in 1878. He and Dorathy were hard working dairy farmers who provided a loving and happy home for their five children Judy, Betty, Faye, Dan, and Rick.
In 1976, their son Rick joined Clarence and Dorathy in their dairy farm venture. Clarence was a strong advocate for the survival of the family farm and loved to reminisce about the early years of farming, going back to the years his dad used horses to farm. He loved to play whist, and taught the game to his children. He also loved being entertained by his children and grandchildren at special occasions, like their 50th wedding anniversary.
In the early years of farming, he was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran church, and when time permitted, he enjoyed Sunday afternoon outings with his family, which offered him opportunities to share stories and see places he enjoyed. He was a great story teller and when his health restricted physical activities he penned several volumes in which he shared memories of people he loved and experiences he treasured. He still had a great recollection of dates and events in local history and he was very thankful he was able to remain in his own home, being cared for by his son Rick, until his recent hospitalization.
On March 8th, the birthday of his wonderful wife and love of his life, he was reunited with her in his heavenly home at the age of 86. Clarence will be missed and remembered by his loving children, Judy (Ron) Svenddal of Ham Lake, Betty Martens of Graceville, Mn.; Faye (Leonard) Cook of Moorhead: Dan(Karen) Martens of Foley, Mn. and Rick Martens of Beardsley; his 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother-in law Elmer (Ursula) Graumann, and one cousin, Kay Nelson of Eagle Bend.
Clarence is preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorathy; his parents, John and Emilie; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Vern Nickel; and his brother and sister-in-law Leonard and Irma Martens; and an infant grand-daughter. He is also preceded in death by his wife's siblings and their spouses; Elsie and Harvey Mattson; Helen and Gordon Baxter; Otto Graumann,; and Harvey and Dona Graumann.
Funeral Home
Larson Funeral Home401 NW 2nd Street
Ortonville, MN 56278