MARTENS: Barbara suffered a stroke on October 28, 2019 and passed away peacefully at the age of 102 years, at Rideau Park Personal Care Home on Sunday, November 3, 2019 with her daughters at her side. Barbara Thiessen was born to parents Jacob and Helena Thiessen at Kronsthal, Manitoba on April 20, 1917 and grew up with six sisters and three brothers. Barbara was baptized in the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church on May 18, 1937 and on September 26, 1937 she married Peter J. Martens. They lived in Gretna and Newhorst, Manitoba for a number of years, and in 1945 they moved to the Mather, Manitoba area, where they farmed until 1971. Mom enjoyed gardening; she grew vegetables and berries which she canned for the winter months. She also enjoyed growing flowers. Mom and Dad were blessed with three daughters and five sons. In 1971, due to Dad's illness they sold the farm and moved to Winkler, Manitoba, where Dad passed away on November 15, 1974. In 1981 Mom moved to Winnipeg to be closer to family and had the opportunity to babysit her granddaughter and great-grandchildren. In 2002 she moved to Brandon, Manitoba. She was able to live by herself until 2013, spending many hours doing jigsaw puzzles, making crafts and staying in touch with family, including frequent phone calls with her sisters. On August 27, 2013 Mom moved to Rideau Park Personal Care Home, where she made many new friends among the residents and staff and continued to stay in touch with family by telephone. She enjoyed the activities at Rideau especially the music, and in spite of a broken hip, hand, and ribs she completed many, many more jigsaw puzzles. Mom was predeceased by her husband, grandson Douglas Sawatzky February 27, 2012, son-in-law Gerald Snowdon November 24, 2013, grandson Jamie Snowdon April 10, 2017 and daughter Anne Sawatzky September 11, 2017. She is survived by her daughter Mary Snowdon, son Jake (Maria) Martens, son-in-law Ron Sawatzky, son Bill (Diane) Martens, son Ed (Gail) Martens, daughter Barb (Herman) Martens, son Jim Martens, son Ron (Erin) Martens, 17 grandchildren and partners, 26 great-grandchildren and partners, 8 great-great grandchildren, one sister Betty Groening, one sister-in-law Margaret Thiessen, one brother-in law Ben Bergen and many nieces and nephews. Mom was laid to rest beside Dad in Winkler Cemetery on Thursday, November 7, 2019 and the Celebration of Barbara’s Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330 – 18th Street North, Brandon on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Barbara may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B7 or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5.