Martens, Florence Marie Henrietta (Topel) -- 1911 - 1981

TOPEL, SCHROEDER, MARTENS, NESVIK, KLEPPE, HENKES, RUSSELL, MARTINS

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 3/8/2011 at 18:11:31

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON REPUBLICAN-STANDARD, December 19, 1987
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Family friend, not related)

Funeral services for Florence Marie Martens, age 70, a well known resident of the Ossian, Iowa area, were held December 16, 1981 at 1:30 p.m. at the Ossian Lutheran Church. Pastor Jack Peterson officiating and the Schmitt Funeral Service in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dennis Martins, L'Dean Henkes, James Henkes, Howard Wangsness and Ray Uhlenhake.

Florence Marie Henrietta Topel was born November 29, 1911 in Allamakee County, the daughter of William and Mathilda (Schroeder) Topel of rural Monona, Iowa. She attended the rural schools near her home in Clayton County, Iowa. She was confirmed in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona, Iowa by Pastor Albert Daugs. She was united in marriage to John Carl Martens of Postville, Iowa on March 4, 1931 by Pastor Gartner of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Postville, Iowa. They became the parents of three daughters and one son. They farmed in the Ossian area for many years where she was a member of the Ossian Lutheran church and an active member of the A.L.C.W.

Florence passed away Sunday morning December 13, 1981 in the Postville Community Hospital. She had been in failing health for several months. She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Margie Mae Martens on December 13, 1934.

Surviving her is her husband, John; a son, Donald Martens and his wife Connie of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 2 daughters, Mrs. Harlin (Marlene) Nesvik of Ossian, Iowa and Mrs. Dennis (Joanne) Kleppe of Monmouth, Iowa; 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson, Steven Nesvik, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rick Nesvik of Ossian, Iowa; and 3 sisters, Mrs. Donald (Iva) Henkes, Mrs. Lloyd (Viola) Russell, and Mrs. Delos Martins, all of Monona, Iowa.

Note: Researchers of the Martens family should also look under Martins. The obituary for John C. Martens is in the Allamakee County, Iowa obituary section under "Martins". In his obituary, it also states that Florence died in 1980. That is incorrect. Her obituary and the social security index both list December 13, 1981.