Karl Johann Martens - 1847-1932

MARTENS, ALBRECHT, DETERS, BARTELS, REIFSTAKE, BAARS, HEINS

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 1/31/2011 at 14:33:50

SOURCE: Postville, Iowa newspaper November 1932
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

On Sunday evening, October 30, 1932 Karl Martens, an old and highly respected resident of this city passed on at his home in west Postville, Iowa. His demise followed a protracted period of failing health and by a singular coincidence, his passing occurred on the eighty-fifth anniversary of his birth. The funeral was held from St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa on November 2. Rev. R.B. Garten officiating. Interment was made in the Postville Cemetery, Postville, Iowa.

Karl Johann Friederich Christian Martens was born in Vorwerk, Kreis Greifswald, near Stralsrund, Prussia on October 30, 1847. He came to this country in September 1884. He was first married to Johanna Maria Sophia Albrecht. To this union seven children were born, two of whom preceded him in death, as did his wife, who passed away some 20 years ago.* It does not appear that the names of these children were listed in the obituary.*

Mr. Martens was again married in 1916 to Anna Deters. She survives him. To them were born 2 sons, Charles Martens of Postville, Iowa and Fred Martens of near Waukon, Iowa; and 3 daughters, Mrs. Bertha Bartels of Castalia, Iowa, Mrs. Anna Reifstake of Oelwein,, Iowa, and Mrs. Wilhelmina Baars of Postville, Iowa; 33 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; a brother, Theodore Martens of Saratoga, Iowa and a sister, Mrs. Henry Heins of Postville, Iowa also survive him.

For eighteen years Mr. Martens was engaged in farming in this vicinity but for the past thirty years he has been a resident of Postville, Iowa. He was an honest, hardworking man, and died respected by all who knew him.