MARTENS: Arnold Gerardus

MARTENS : Peacefully at the Almonte General Hospital, on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, Arnold Gerardus Martens of Carleton Place, formerly of Crediton, age 77. Beloved husband of Anne Maria (Kester) Martens for 51 years. Loving father and father-in-law of Harriet and Rick Soudant of Almonte, Joe and Marilyn Martens of Wexford, PA, Mary (aka Frunce) and Dave Flynn of Waterloo, Dan and Julie Martens of Woodstock. Proud Opa of Lindsay, Kelly and Matt Soudant, Owen and Reese Martens, Scott and Emily Flynn, Justin, Grayden, Travis and Luke Martens. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Martin and Lil Martens, Francina “Sien” and Tom Smits, Marius and Ria Martens, all of Grand Bend, Tony Martens of Exeter, Mary Kester of Dashwood, as well as Thea and Peter van der Drift, Leo and Ina Kester, Joop and Ria Kester, Kees and Tineke Kester, Nico and Corrie Kester, Ad and Adrienne Kester, Gerard and Inge Kester, Annie van der Knaap, Nettie Kester, all in Holland. Arnold will be fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews and their families in Canada, Holland and around the world. Predeceased by his parents Henricus and Martina (Raaymakers) Martens, brothers and sisters Johan and Miet Martens, Marinus and Truus Martens, Zuster Evarista (Johanna) Martens, Wim Martens, Jan Martens, Marietje and Jan Guns and, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Leny Martens, Martha Martens, Tillie and Jerry VanLeeuwen, Jan Kester, Tom Kester, Adrianus “Adrian” Kester. Arnold farmed in Crediton, Ontario for 43 years and then enjoyed 10 years of retirement in Carleton Place. Arnold and Anne have many lovely memories from the 15 winters spent at their second home in Lake Wales, Florida. Grateful thanks to Dr. Hendry and the staff at Ottawa Heart Institute, and Dr. Oldfield and the caring staff of Almonte Hospital who shepherded Arnold on the final days of his journey. Resting at the T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood, with visitation Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. Parish and family prayers will be offered at 3:30 pm on Sunday. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Mount Carmel, on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 11 am. Father Len Desjardins and Father Tony Laforet will be officiating. Interment in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Mount Carmel. For those who wish, memorial donations (payable by cheque) may be made to St. Mary’s Church in Carleton Place, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Make a Wish Foundation or the charity of choice.