Benjamin Martens

Obituary of Benjamin (Ben) Martens January 17, 1938 - September 8, 2022 (84 years old)

It is with great sadness we announce that our father, Ben Martens passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in his home on September 8, 2022 in Stavely, AB.  Ben was born on January 17, 1938 in LaCrete, AB.  He is the fourth child of six that were born to the late Frank and Mary Martens.  He moved to Saskatoon, SK when he was 6 years old with his family and grew up there until he left for Calgary, Alberta where he worked at Stampede Motors as a service manager.  It was in Calgary where he met Juliana (Julie) Pawliw in 1965.  The couple married on October 8, 1966, then moved to High River, AB in 1971 to begin a life of farming.  In 1973 they relocated to a farm just west of Stavely, AB and had their first child, Benjamin Jason Martens in 1974.  Three years later they had a daughter, Jacqueline (Jacquie) Marie Martens.  The family continued to reside in the Stavely, AB area for a number of years and the family purchased a small business they named Butte Trails Centre in 1980 which was a gas station/grocery store for a number of years.  It later became a Husky gas station.  Ben also drove school bus for a number of years as well as farmed a quarter section of irrigated hay land west of Claresholm, AB.

Ben and Julie divorced in 1989 and Ben ultimately retired at 55 years of age.  He remained in the Stavely, AB area.  On July 17, 1999, Ben married Marcia Kenna, a nurse from Lethbridge, AB and they divorced shortly thereafter. 

For those who lived in the area may have known Ben to see him on his bicycle riding around town and west of Stavely throughout the year, even in the winter months after his retirement to maintain his physical health.  He was also very fond of the mountains and often took trips to Banff, AB.  Ben loved spending Christmas with his family enjoying good food and great company.  Throughout his life he enjoyed his time outdoors such as fishing, camping and golfing and in his later years he developed a passion for reading the Bible.  He had a great love of all animals, in particular, horses.  He also had a keen interest in old cars, particularly luxury models and early 20th century cars.

Ben is survived by his son, Jason (Kelly) Martens of Grande Prairie, AB and his two grandchildren, Hannah and Seth Martens as well as his daughter, Jacqueline Martens of Red Deer, AB.  Ben has two of his six siblings remaining, his eldest brother Henry Martens of Salmon Arm and his youngest sister, Martha Ghent of Elmira, Ontario.  He has several nieces and nephews of whom he was very fond of.  Ben was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Mary Martens; his sister, Sara Hanson (Waldner); Sara’s first husband, Ed Waldner and second husband, Ernie Hanson; his younger brother Dick Martens; his sister Esther Froese; his sisters-in-law Kelly Martens & Francis Martens and his nephew Lloyd Martens.

The Funeral will take place on Wednesday September 14, 2022 at Faith Community Baptist Church at 11:00am located at 4404 3 St. W Claresholm, AB with reception following.  Burial will then occur at Oddfellows cemetery just west of highway 2 at Stavely, AB on Secondary Highway 527 for those who wish to attend.  Donations can be made to Canadian Mental Health Association Rural Health Project in the Claresholm, AB area. https://alberta.cmha.ca/get-involved/donate

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