Katherine Martens (nee Klassen) passed into the presence of her Lord on March 19, 2014. Katherine was born February 5, 1921 in Samara Russia. Her parents were John C. & Elizabeth (Martens) Klassen. When Katherine was 5, her family immigrated to Canada, settling in Crowfoot, Alta., with no travel debt. After Grade 8, she did housework for the Warners at $15/month. Katherine's highlight at Coaldale (Alta.) Bible College (1939-1940) was getting a ride with Abe, whom she married in Oct 22, 1941. Katherine pulled her children in a wagon for miles to her mother's home to care for her until her death to cancer in 1945. After a crop failure in Lindbrook, Alta., Katherine and Abe moved to Yarrow, B.C., to continue farming. Through migraines, osteoarthritis and degenerative discs, Katherine demonstrated consistent faith. She sang in Bakerview's fellowship choir and served church catering committees with her gift of hospitality. When Abe moved to Menno Home Hospital, Katherine spent many hours a day driving back and forth to visit. After Abe died in 2003, Katherine was lonely until her move to Hallmark Assisted Living. She again adapted well to Tabor Court. When her health declined in 2010, she moved to Tabor Home.

She was predeceased by her husband Abe in 2003, by two sons Ken and Ron both in 2009, and by 3 brothers Bill, Abe and John. She is survived by her loving family, son Walter (Lois), daughter Joyce (Hank) Regehr, daughters-in-law Sylvia and Carole Martens and daughter Irene (Norm) Lihaven. She was blessed with 23 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and she was predeceased by one granddaughter. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Leona and Betty, brothers Neil (Rita), Peter (Nancy), sister Louise (Rudy) Willms, sister-in-law Lillian and sister Anne (Rey) Nickel. Viewing will be held on Friday, March 28th from 7:30-8:30 pm in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 29th at 11:00 a.m. in Bakerview M.B. Church, 2285 Clearbrook Road. In lieu of flowers, the Katherine Martens Memorial Fund has been established for Reality Vancouver Church, whose founding & lead pastor is Katherine's grandson, Kristian Martens. Reality is an urban church plant in Vancouver's eastside that exists to serve relentlessly, build community, disciple faithfully, love extravagantly, and proclaim humbly the good news of Jesus.