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Wilbur Martens
W.D. enlisted in the US Marine Corps. in 1943 and served in the South Pacific, Kwajalein/Marshall Islands, with the 4th Air Wing, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1946. W.D. was united in marriage to Norma Schwarz on August 11, 1948 at St. John Lutheran Church in Climbing Hill. He farmed and fed cattle six miles south of Moville. He as also a partner with his father-in-law in the H.A. Schwarz Seed company from 1955 until 1967 when they quit the bluegrass seed business. He retired from farming in 1980, but continued to feed cattle until 1985. He also had a second career selling real estate. For the fast twenty-five years, W.D. did crop adjusting and had his own insurance agency. He retired earlier this year due to health problems. W.D. was a long-time active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Climbing Hill and, later, at First Lutheran in Kingsley, Iowa. He held various church offices in these congregations. After moving to Spirit Lake permanently in 1985, he joined Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #23, and served as a volunteer transporting cancer patients for treatment. W.D.’s pastimes included hunting, trapping, fishing, playing horseshoe, shooting snooker, and playing cards. W.D. and Norma enjoyed several winters at Mustang Island, Texas. He passed away Thursday, September 8, 2005, at his residence following a courageous battle with cancer, at eighty years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Marty and Rick; brothers, Donald, Henry and Robert; and brothers-in-law, Henry Schwarz and Stan Wichelt. Survivors include his wife, Norma, children and their spouses, David Martens (Karen) of Ft. Dodge, Iowa and Annie VerHeul (Greg) of Viborg, SD; grandchildren Michael Martens (Amy), Amy Royuk (Kyle), John VerHeul and Ross VerHeul; and a great-grandson, Alex David Martens. IN LOVING MEMORY WILBUR “W.D.” MARTENS July 27, 1925 ~ September 8, 2005 SERVICES Immanuel Lutheran Church Spirit Lake, Iowa Monday, September 12, 2005 10:00 AM CLERGY Rev. Phill Andreason Rev. Chad Kendall MUSIC Bev Petrick, Organist Dan Sievert, Soloist The Lord Is My Shepard Congregation What A Friend We Have In Jesus God Be With You Rock Of Ages Lift High The Cross PALLBEARERS David Martens Greg VerHeul Michael Martens John VerHeul Kyle Royuk Ross VerHeul INTERMENT West Fork Cemetery Climbing Hill, Iowa
It broke my heart to lose you But you didn’t go alone. A part of me went with you The day God took you home.
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Wilbur Duane Martens was born on a farm east of Climbing Hill, Iowa on July 27, 1925, the son of Henry and Lena (Allner) Martens. W.D. attended Rising Sun Country School, graduating from Climbing Hill High School in 1942. He was confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Climbing Hill in February, 1943.