People of Manning and vicinity were saddened Saturday when the unexpected news arrived that Mrs. Gustav Martens of West Side had passed away the night before. Her illness, of a short duration was not known to her many friends in this vicinity. She will be remembered here as a true friend and neighbor with a quiet and pleasing disposition. She lived a good life and the many friends in this vicinity extend their deepest sympathy to the husband and son who are left to mourn.

Mrs. Grace Martens, nee Fonken, was born at Baileysville, Ill., on March 4, 1873. When she was about three years old the family came to Arcadia, Iowa where they lived for a while before moving to Manning, la. where Mrs. Martens lived with her parents on a farm. She received her education in a country school and grew to woman-hood in the vicinity of Manning.

She was united in marriage to Gus. W. Martens, February 18, 1899. To this union three children were born, two of whom passed away in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Martens began their wedded life on a farm near Manning where they lived for three years when they moved to Manning. After living in Manning for eleven years, they moved to West Side where the have since resided.

On Thursday, Aug. 16, she was taken to the Denison hospital, seriously ill, and passed away on Friday afternoon, Aug. 17, 1934 at the age of 61 years, 5 months and 13 days. She is proceeded in death by her parents and two brothers, William and Hicko Fonken. She is survived by her husband, Gus W. Martens, her son d Wilbert G., five brothers: Albert Fonken, Happy, Texas; John Fonken, Willow Lakes, S. D.; Herman Fonken, Lake City, Ia.; Dick Fonken, Manning, Ia.; and George Fonken, Springfield, Minn.; and a sister, Mrs. Chas. Flenker, Manning, la., and many other relatives.

She spent nearly all of her life in Crawford county which gave her a place among the pioneers of the community who were picnicking in the Denison park on the day of her passing, which was about the same time the roll of the departed in the last year was being read. She was a good wife and a devoted mother, she got great pleasure in her only son Wilbert who was her constant companion in the home.

Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church in West Side Monday afternoon at 2 p. m. and were conducted by Rev. E. E. Zimmerman pastor of the church. Six nephews acted as pallbearers: Earl Martens, Frank Martens, Woodrow Flenker, Harold Martens, Ralph Fonken and Herman Ruhde.
Interment was in the Manning cemetery.