MARTENS, O.K. 1861-1950

MARTENS, BUSS, UHDEN

Posted By: Roger Stubbe (email)
Date: 7/31/2008 at 14:31:07

(Lyon County News -- March 16, 1950)

With the passing of the years, goes also the departing of some of the elderly pioneers. O. K. Martens, a long-time resident of Lyon county, passed away on March 5, 1950. He was born in Ostfriesland, Germany, December 21, 1861, and came to the United States at the age of four years. He spend his boyhood days at German Valley, Illinois, and Wellsburg, Iowa.

On September 8, 1883 he was united in marriage with Wubke Buss. For a time they lived in Grundy and Hardin counties (both in Iowa), and also briefly in Illinois and South Dakota. In 1906, they made a trip to Germany to visit her ailing father. Since 1914 they made their home in the community between Little Rock, Lyon county, Iowa and Ellsworth, Rock county, Minnesota.

Mrs. Martens passed away on April 26, 1948, reaching an age of 91 yrs, 8 mnths and 4 days. After her departure, Mr. Martens was a lonesome man. Almost two years went slowly be, and then he too was quickly succumbed, passing away at the age of 88 yrs, 2 mnths and 14 days.

Funeral services were conducted on March 10 at the Funeral Home in George, and in the Bethel Reformed Church near Ellsworth with interment made in the Bethel cemetery.

He leaves 9 children: Claus, of George; (Vera) Mrs. Henry Uhden of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; Herman of Little Falls, Minnesota; Rev. D. A. Martens of Dubuque, Iowa; (Helen) Mrs. Jans Van Hove, of Rock Rapids, Lyon county, Iowa; (Frances) Mrs. John Uhden of Herman, Minnesota. Also one brother, O. D. Martens, of Rushmore, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.