Marlys J. Martens
August 26, 1932 — March 1, 2015
Marlys Joy (Paulsen) Martens was born on August 26, 1932, to Eldon and Myrtle (Nelson) Paulsen in rural Brayton, Iowa. In 1933, the family moved to rural Dysert, Iowa, and she spent her early childhood there. The family moved to a farm located on the Wisconsin Ridge Road northeast of Walnut, Iowa, in 1943. She attended country school and then attended high school in Walnut where she graduated with the Class of 1950.
On January 6, 1951, she married Charles Martens. They lived for one year in Missouri Valley where Charles worked on a bridge crew out of Logan and then they moved back to her parents’ farm on the Wisconsin Ridge Road. Charles farmed and Marlys helped him in the field while maintaining the family home and raising their three children: Gary, Hal, and Lisa. They recently celebrated their sixty-fourth wedding anniversary and had never spent more than one week apart until this past October.
Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. They were her first priority and as she frequently said, “They may be spoiled, but they also know how to mind their manners”. She loved it when they teased her and always responded with a stern face and voice that did not phase them at all except to generate giggles and laughter.
She was an exceptional artist and loved sewing whether it be clothes for the family, crafts for church bazaars or quilting. Her cross stitch projects were well known. She gave many as gifts and proudly displayed them throughout their home.
She also loved traveling in the camper and fifth wheel trailer with family and friends and kept journals of these travels to be enjoyed for years after.
Marlys passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Elm Crest Nursing Home having attained the age of eighty-two years, six months, and three days. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Clint Paulsen, and husband Charles on January 15, 2015.
She is survived by sons Gary Martens and his wife Betty of Walnut, Iowa and Hal Martens and his wife Deborah of Eagle River, Alaska; daughter Lisa Thomas of Soldotna, Alaska; six grandchildren: Makenzie and her husband Jamie Johnson, Brent, Maggie, Anna, Logan, and Taeryn; two great-grandchildren: Drayden and Logan; a third great-grandson due in May; other family members and friends.
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On January 6, 1951, she married Charles Martens. They lived for one year in Missouri Valley where Charles worked on a bridge crew out of Logan and then they moved back to her parents’ farm on the Wisconsin Ridge Road. Charles farmed and Marlys helped him in the field while maintaining the family home and raising their three children: Gary, Hal, and Lisa. They recently celebrated their sixty-fourth wedding anniversary and had never spent more than one week apart until this past October.
Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. They were her first priority and as she frequently said, “They may be spoiled, but they also know how to mind their manners”. She loved it when they teased her and always responded with a stern face and voice that did not phase them at all except to generate giggles and laughter.
She was an exceptional artist and loved sewing whether it be clothes for the family, crafts for church bazaars or quilting. Her cross stitch projects were well known. She gave many as gifts and proudly displayed them throughout their home.
She also loved traveling in the camper and fifth wheel trailer with family and friends and kept journals of these travels to be enjoyed for years after.
Marlys passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Elm Crest Nursing Home having attained the age of eighty-two years, six months, and three days. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Clint Paulsen, and husband Charles on January 15, 2015.
She is survived by sons Gary Martens and his wife Betty of Walnut, Iowa and Hal Martens and his wife Deborah of Eagle River, Alaska; daughter Lisa Thomas of Soldotna, Alaska; six grandchildren: Makenzie and her husband Jamie Johnson, Brent, Maggie, Anna, Logan, and Taeryn; two great-grandchildren: Drayden and Logan; a third great-grandson due in May; other family members and friends.
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