Columbus
Elizabeth K. Martens, 77, of Columbus, passed from this life at 1:34 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Mrs. Martens was born November 27, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to John H. and Esther P. Jessen Graf. She married Leonard E. Martens Jr., a decorated Vietnam veteran, Jan. 17, 1981.
Elizabeth and Leonard graduated from Christian Life College in June 1987 and immediately engaged in full time ministry in Brandon, Florida, as ministers of the United Pentecostal Church International. They also ministered in Clinton, Iowa and eventually pastored in Lincoln, Nebraska. They retired from Lincoln to Florida in 2006 to care for Leonard’s ailing mother. Leonard preceded Elizabeth in death Jan. 27, 2014, in Rockledge, Florida.
She worked for the State of Nebraska Department of Roads, retiring in 2006. The State of Nebraska awarded Elizabeth many awards for her exceptional work.
Elizabeth was gifted with perfect pitch and began playing the piano at the age of four. She became a gifted musician and played in many churches, conferences, camp meetings, nursing homes, and other events.
Survivors include a sister, Esther JoAnne Coffin of Milford, Delaware; nieces and nephews, Lee and Tammy Hayes of Lincolnton, North Carolina, Kathy Davis of Seaford, Delaware, Darryl and Melissa Coffin of Milford, Delaware, Kevin and Laurie Coffin of Glenburn, Maine, Alice Lange of Columbus, Indiana, and Dan and JoAnn Mitchell of Columbus, Indiana; and a host of great nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Martens was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, L. Jean Mitchell; niece, Joyce Mansur; and a nephew, Terry Coffin.
The funeral will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with the Rev. Dan Mitchell officiating. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. until service time Thursday. A private graveside service will be held at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Sanctuary Imagine Building Fund.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
barkesweaverglick.com
