Vernon F. “Vern” Martens, 89, died Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson.
He was born March 16, 1924 in Buhler, Kansas the son of Jacob Abraham and Agnetha Schmidt Martens.
A 1942 graduate of Buhler High School, Vern was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in WWII under General George Patton. He was a member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Bob Campbell Post #1361 he enjoyed bicycling and completed the BAK (Bike Across Kansas) 9 ½ times, the last time when he was 71 years old. Vern worked for Krause Plow for 10 years, before retiring from Dillons Warehouse in 1985 after 30 years in distribution. Vern’s greatest joy came from his family and friends and the time spent with each one of them, he especially treasured his relationships with the light of his life, his grandchildren.
On March 21, 1947 he married Anna Trass in Munich, Germany. Following their marriage, Anna along with her son Rainer returned to the United States with Vern, making her the first German war bride to do so during WWII. Anna died on July 26, 2002 in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Vern is survived by: his children, Rainer Martens (Julie) of Ormond Beach, FL, Jay Martens (Margaret) of St. Augustine, FL, and Lori McBride (Traci Lawson) of Hutchinson; three grandchildren, Abel Martens of Lawrence, KS, Bonny Greenlee (Zach) and Blazik McBride, both of Manhattan, KS; and a great-grandson, Colin Greenlee of Manhattan, KS.
He was preceded in death by: two sons, twins LeRoy and AlRoy Martens, and four sisters, Margaret, Martha, Marna and Emma.
A Celebration of Life for Vern will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Emanuel Lutheran Church 140 East 30th Avenue, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tim Carey and Phil Vickers presiding. Burial will follow in Buhler Municipal Cemetery, Buhler.
Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Monday and from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday through Friday at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, Hutchinson. Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Reno County in care of the funeral home. Please visit www.penwellgabelhutchinson.com to leave personal condolences for the family.