MARTENS, Oscar W. (1890-1920)

MARTENS

Posted By: Karon King (email)
Date: 5/5/2017 at 22:35:11

Oscar William Martens
(Nov 8, 1890 - Oct 23,1920)

Advocate-Tribune, Indianola, IA, Thurs., Oct 28, 1920, page 8
Oscar Martens Killed
Oscar Martens, of Martensdale, died Saturday evening as a result of wounds received when a horse kicked him in the head. The funeral was a held Monday at Martensdale. Oscar Martens was a son of John Martens.
page 9 Martensdale
Oscar Martens was killed Saturday night at his home by being kicked by a colt while he was doing his chores. His death has cast a gloom over Martensdale and vicinity which will be felt for some time.
Advocate-Tribune, Indianola, IA, Thurs., Nov 4, 1920, front page
Obituary – Oscar W. Martens
Oscar William Martens, son of John F. and Barbara M. Martens, was born in Jefferson township, Warren county, Iowa, November 8, 1890. At an early age he was confirmed in the Lutheran church and lived consistent with its teachings. August 7, 1918, he entered the service of his country and was stationed at Camp McArthur, Texas. He was honorably discharged and returned home January 2, 1919. March 10, 1920, he married Miss Pearl Sells of this county, and moved to a farm a quarter of a mile east of the home where he had lived since birth. On Saturday evening, October 23, 1920, while working with his stock in the barn, he was kicked by a young colt and killed, being at the time of his death just a little less than thirty years of age. The funeral services were held in the church at Martensdale on the following Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Leamer, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran church of Des Moines and attended by one of the largest crowds ever assembled on a similar occasion in this community. There are left to mourn his sudden and untimely death a wife, parents, five brothers, Ernest of Menlo, Carl George, Raymond and John of Martensdale, and one sister, Mrs. Lyle Gates of Norwalk, and many other relatives and a host of friends, for all who knew him were his friends. For four years Oscar had been superintendent of the Martensdale Sunday School and to this work he gave the same whole-hearted attention and energy that he gave to everything he undertook. He was also secretary for four years of the Field association and had active charge of the annual picnic held at Martensdale. While interested in public enterprises, his first thought and greatest pleasure was his home. His death leaves a vacancy in the community that will be hard to fill and a vacancy in the hearts of his family and intimate friends that can never be filled. No man in the neighborhood, whether young or old, was more admired and respected than Oscar Martens, and his helpful and friendly disposition and upright character made him worthy of it. Mere words on paper can but poorly express the sorrow of those who mourn his loss. His family can well be proud of the record he has left.
Card of Thanks- We desire to thank our friends and neighbors for the expressions of sympathy manifested by them in the time of our great sorrow in the loss of husband, son and brother, and for the many beautiful floral tributes dedicated to his memory. The Martens family.