Gertrude E. Marten

Gertrude E. Hoffman Marten
(Mrs. Clarence Marten)

Age 87, peacefully entered the loving arms of her Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of December 3, 2008, with family at her side. She was born in Winneconne, WI on September 28, 1921, the firstborn child of the late Henry and Sophie (Ristow) Hoffman. She became a child of God when baptized at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Winneconne on October 23, 1921, where she was later confirmed in her faith on April 14, 1935.

Gertrude graduated from Winneconne High School in 1939 and attended Oshkosh Business College graduating with a secretarial degree. She married her high school classmate and sweetheart, Clarence Marten, on August 23, 1941, having shared 66 years of marriage, until his death earlier this year on April 10, 2008. During World War II she followed her husband to Army bases, working as a secretary for the American Red Cross and later worked for Scharpf Typewriter Company in Oshkosh. After raising her daughters she was employed by Fox Valley Technical College for 14 years, retiring in 1983.

She was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Appleton, where she was a member of Dartball Club and many Bible study groups. She was an avid golfer, participating in women's and couple's league play, enjoyed ladies and couples bridge, and was phenomenal with vocabulary and crossword puzzles. In her early years she was a member of sewing and knitting groups, reading clubs, and the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Gertrude is survived by her two loving daughters; Carol (Eric) Fischer, Marietta, GA and Barbara (Steve) Earl, Appleton; and four cherished grandsons; Garth (Heather) Fischer, Dallas, GA; USAF Captain Derek (Jamie) Fischer, Summerville, SC; Gavin Earl, Terryville, CT; and Colin Earl, Dubuque, IA. She is further survived by her sister, Florence Chase, West Allis; two sisters-in-law Jeanette Marten, Hot Springs Village, AK. and Faye Hoffman, Winneconne, and other cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Clarence, her parents, a brother Arthur Hoffman, and two brothers-in-law, Harold Chase and Lawrence Marten.

The Christian funeral for Gertrude will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 302 N. Morrison Street, in Appleton with Rev. Paul Jenkins and Rev. Ralph Waack officiating. Internment will be at Highland Memorial Park on Monday. Friends will be received at the church on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00-12:00 noon, until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church or School, and Appleton Health Care Center.

Thank you, Mom, for raising us in a loving, nurturing, and Christian home and instilling in us the values of God and family.

Members of Gertrude's family would like to express their appreciation and respect to the staff of Appleton Health Care Center for the extraordinary kindness, care, and professional attention they have shown Gertrude. God's Blessings.