Ellen Marie Martens, a resident of St Johns, died at home in the care of her family on Mar 3, 2021 at the age of 85.
She was born in Pewamo on Oct 27, 1935 the daughter of Guy and Esther (Simmons) Snyder. On Feb 12, 1956 she married her high school sweetheart, Everett Lee Martens, in St Peter Lutheran Church. Together they were blessed with the births of three children, twelve grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and have spent over sixty-five years as partners in life, farming and running Martens Farm and Lawn, which remains to be their outstanding legacy along with 29children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Ellen worked tirelessly and selflessly her entire life, from bailing hay, running errands for Martens Farm & Lawn, holding a full time job at Farm & Fleet for ten years and at Tractor Supply for fifteen years where she was known across the community. Ellen enjoyed and continued to work ans stay busy up until her ailing health. She was a member of St Peter Lutheran Church, served as a teacher’s aid for Riley Schools and worked on the Election Board for Riley Townships latest 2020 election. There was nothing that could slow her down even when cancer had her held by the ankle.
Ellen dearly loved her family. Her home away from home was at Ferwerdas Peaceful Acres in Ludington, MI where they have been going annually for over 40 years. Over the years she cherished the family’s yearly trip to Burt Lake, excursions, family get-togethers, and many fishing trips where according to her Everett, “she was the Captain of the boat”. Whether she was working hard, enjoying her home sitting on the front porch, cooking for her family, or hanging out with her grandkids who affectionately dubbed her “Cookie Grandma”, she loved it all.
In addition to her beloved husband Everett, she is survived by her sons, Mark (Trish) Martens and Lee Martens; Theresa Martens; grandchildren, Anson (Kori) Martens, Zac (Tori) Martens, Christine (Joe) Tejkl, Becky Jones, Missy Jones (Brian Schutt), John and Bruce Martens, and Lindsey Walker; great grandchildren, Hudson, Brayli, Lincoln, Berkley, Bruce, Everett and Mila Martens, Chase and Noah Tejkl, Tayen and Kaia Petoski, Brennan and Riley Schutt; siblings, Barbara Hawkins, Carolee Jo Fenner, Clara Belle Lewis and Richard J Snyder. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kasey Baatz, and siblings, Mae O’Connell, Guy Snyder, Donnis June Redman, Joyce Snyder and Della Snyder.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home (Keck-Coleman Chapel), 1500 Waterford Parkway, St Johns, on Sat, Mar 6, from 3 to 8 pm and on Sun, Mar 7, from 2 to 8 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at St Peter Lutheran Church, 8990 Church Rd, St Johns, on Mon, Mar 8, at 11 am with Pastor Tim Bayer officiating.