It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of our father George Martens, in the Concordia Hospital, after a brief illness, at the age of 90 years.

 

Dad was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Ilene (Larter). He will be missed by his children, George, Cynthia (Cindee) De Groot (Jeff), Denyse Horner (Phil), Linda, and Michael (Sherry Schoor); grandchildren, Michael, Nycole, Alexander, Taylor, Samantha, Tyler, Conner, and Maxx; great-granddaughter Savannah; brother Dave (Ruth); sister Mary Lowen (Peter-deceased), sister-in-law Elsie (Jake) of Swan River MB; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will be remembered always, with great love.

 

George was also predeceased by his parents, Heinrich and Maria Martens of Coaldale AB, siblings, Bernard of Swan River MB, Katharine Schulz (Jake) of Vauxhall AB, Helen Blair (Duncan) of Fort McLeod AB, Jake of Swan River MB, Henry (Kay) of Taber AB, Sara Gaskell (Glenn) of Lethbridge AB, Johann, Suzie Kimura (Seiji) of Coaldale AB, and William (Karen) of Kitchener ON, his nieces, Brenda and Caroline; and nephews, Henry, Monty and Dennis.

 

Dad was born December 30, 1930 in White Beach, SK to Heinrich and Maria Martens. He was one of 12 children. The family moved to Barnwell, AB and eventually settled in Coaldale, AB.

 

Dad moved to Swan River in the early 50’s where he met and married Ilene Larter on April 18, 1956. Soon thereafter they moved to Edmonton AB where Dad worked in construction. Their first son was born there, George Jr. Not long after that they moved back to Swan River and continued growing their family with the addition of Cynthia (Cindee), Denyse, Linda and Michael. During that time Dad was doing what he loved, which was being on the open road driving truck.

 

In 1974 Dad took his family to Thompson MB where he became a heavy-duty mechanic for SRP Transfer, eventually opening his own mechanics shop in Thompson where he was soon the choice mechanic of many.    

 

Aside from work Dad loved to go on Sunday drives, hunting, taking his kids target shooting, fishing, camping and sitting by a fire smoking his cigars and enjoying a glass of bourbon. Dad also loved to play his guitar and sing his favorite country songs. He was caught swooning mom with his guitar and song a time or two!! Mom and Dad also enjoyed long road trips together to visit family. As Dad aged, he adopted a new mode of transportation on his “jitney” aka scooter. He would travel from his condo to visit with Jeff regularly throughout the week.

 

If you found yourself sitting and having coffee with Dad, he would talk your ear off about all his escapades as a trucker or his work in Thompson that he was so proud of.  Dad was always a kindhearted, soft-spoken easy-going man who would help you at any cost and had the patience of a saint for his children. LOL!!

 

His grandkids have fond memories of sitting on his knee and playing hide the toothpick game, getting whiskers rubs, learning how to make whistles out of twigs and whittling while camping or at the cabin. 

 

Dad, you will always hold a special place in all our hearts and will be greatly missed but fondly remembered. Until we meet again…

 

We would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Concordia Hospital, N1 North, for the tender care they gave Dad and us in his last days.  

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St, Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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