SERVICES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1986, 2:00 PM OHDE FUNERAL HOME MANNING, IOWA
OFFICIATING PASTOR SUSHIL JOSEPH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MANNING, IOWA
MUSIC "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD"
JOANN KARSTEN AND GEORGIA LOHRMANN, VOCALISTS
BEV SMITH, ORGANIST
INTERMENT MANNING CITY CEMETERY
CASKETBEARERS: LYLE ARP, JOE SONKSEN, CHUCK HUGHES, WILLIS PUCK,
ART RIX, EDDIE JOHNSON, DICK CRANDALL, MAX DETLEFSEN
THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE METHODIST CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE
Alvin William, son of William J. and Minnie (Schultz) Martens, was born September 28, 1907, in Manning, Iowa. He attended Manning schools and was graduated from Manning High School in 1924. Al then attended State University of Iowa at Iowa City for two years.
Al worked for S.S. Kresge Company for several years in St. Louis, Missouri and Massillon, Ohio, and then for C.B. Senter at Carroll, Nevada, and Jefferson before buying the C.B. Senter store in Manning in 1932. The store was first called the A.W. Martens $.05 to $1.00, and in 1936 Al took the Ben Franklin franchise and the store became known as the Ben Franklin store. In 1960 the franchise was dropped and the store became known as Marten's Variety. His son, Gene, took over operation of the store in 1971.
Al was united in marriage with Clara Wyatt on August 1, 1930. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1980. Two children were born to this union, Gene and Marcia.
Al had been in failing health for several years because of Alzheimer's disease. He had been a resident of the Manning Plaza, Manning, Iowa, for the past 16 months and died there on Wednesday afternoon, October 29, 1986, at the age of 79 years, 1 month, and 1 day.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by one brother, Bernhardt Martens.
Al is survived by his wife, Clara, of Manning; by two children, Gene Martens and his wife, Laura, of Yakima, Washington, and Marcia and her husband, Bion Pierson, of Ames, Iowa; by five grandchildren: Leslie, Bonnie and Monica Martens, of Yakima, Washington, and Bryce and Lia Pierson of Ames, Iowa; by three sisters: Marcella Knaack of Manning, Iowa; Ethel and her husband, Harold Goedert, of Jackson, California; and Marjorie and her husband, Herbert Thomas, of Strongsville, Ohio; by the following brothers and sisters-in-law: Marge, Mrs. Bernhardt Martens, of Bryan, Ohio; Dr. Merlin Wyatt, of Tucson, Arizona; Vera and her husband, Ray Rinderhagen, of Indio, California; Louise and her husband, Paul Nordbye, of Winlock, Washington; and Lester Wyatt and his wife, Margaret, of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Al was active in community and church affairs. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Manning. He was elected to several terms on the Manning School Board and served as President for one term. He was active in the Manning Chamber of Commerce. Many people will remember Al as a worker at the Chamber concession stand during Manning's Children's Day. Al will be missed by many relatives and friends.