Obituary of Leslie Martens

Leslie John Martens (November 24, 1948 – February 12, 2023) It is with sadness that the family of Les Martens announce that he passed peacefully into his Saviour’s presence on February 12, 2023 at the Maple Creek Care Home.

Leslie is predeceased by his parents (Henry and Anne Martens), his brother (Mark Martens), and various other relatives.

He is survived by the mother of their children (Iris Martens), their children Cheryl (Bernie) Greenfield, Cameron Martens, Colleen (Blake) Johnson, Conrad (Amy) Martens, and Cevin (Alex) Martens, and his grandchildren Aidyn, Alayna, Callie, Ellianna, Kierann, Ryder, Jolen, William, Elkanon, Natalie, and Lochlan.

Les was born to Henry and Anne Martens in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and was the oldest of ten children. He was raised on the family farm near Rosenhof, Saskatchewan where he attended the local school and spent his days helping on the family’s farm.  After graduating high school, he went on to attend Millar College of the Bible. It was at Millar that Les met the woman who would become his wife.  After completion of his education at Millar, Les and his wife settled to raise their family in the Bow Island, Alberta area.

Les spent most of his early years as a husband taking education in some of the trades and doing custom farmwork for various farmers in the area. Les enjoyed working the land, hunting and spending summer days on the lake waterskiing. He was also actively involved in the Bow Island Free Church and enjoyed volunteering in the church community.

As their family grew, the decision was made to move into the town of Bow Island and his career changed to a fuel truck driver for Esso.  He continued his employment with Esso until his family was raised and his children had moved on to start families of their own.  Following that Les then did various jobs for local farmers and some oilfield trucking jobs.

Les remained in Bow Island until the Fall of 2017, when he moved to Swift Current, Saskatchewan and remained living near his family homestead until his move to the Personal Care Home in Maple Creek.

Les will be remembered for teasing nature and enjoyment of practical jokes which debuted with his siblings and continued with his children, relatives, and various friends. Over the years his children have heard various stories of what he had pulled off and Les could be seen with a twinkle in his eye at the memory.  He also had love for the sweeter things in life which included a daily dose of ice cream, chocolate and Pepsi and most people that knew him would have heard the offer for a “bowl of ice cream before you go.” His kids also recall his love of hymns and Gospel music and remember him pulling out his guitar and strumming his favourites. During the summer he could be found enjoying a Gospel Jamboree and adding new favourites to his CD collection.

Les loved being a grandpa and the announcement that he was going to be a grandpa also brought a lot of joy to Les and each addition brought new enjoyment as their grandpa.  He cherished all the time he spent with them.

Les had a strong faith and love for his Saviour.  It was important for him that his family and friends knew that God loved them and wanted a relationship with them. He was often heard sharing his faith and had a strong desire that all people would accept the free gift of eternal life. It is of great comfort to his children at this time that Les is now enjoying the presence of his Saviour and the fulfillment of Jesus’ Salvation in his life.

 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  (1 Thess. 4:13)

 A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Rhineland Christian Fellowship Church in Rhineland, SK.  Interment to take place at the Rhineland Christian Fellowship Church Cemetery.

There will be public viewing prior to the funeral service from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. at the church.

Donations in memory of Leslie can be made to Big River Bible Camp Box 542 Big River, SK. S0N 0E0  or brbcinfo@gmail.com 

The service will be livestreamed, just click on the following link https://www.youtube.com/live/lKsGYTIDQKU?feature=share