Obituary of Hans Peter MARTENS

October 30, 1940 – Filadelfia, Paraguay

May 24, 2021– Calgary, Alberta

Hans Peter Martens, beloved husband of Ortrude (Trudy) Martens (nee Zerbin) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 at the age of 80 years, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Peter was born on October 30, 1940, in Filadelfia, Paraguay and was one of eight children to Helena and George Martens. Peter moved around Paraguay and Bolivia, finally in 1958, at the age of eighteen, he arrived in Canada and settled in Winnipeg, MB. He met Trudy in 1961 and they were married in 1963. Peter had many different jobs while he was young including, bricklaying, tannery work, plastic manufacturing, installing glass, electrical technician and private renovation jobs. He finally found his niche as an assembly supervisor with Palliser Furniture and stayed there for twenty-three years. After retirement, Peter and Trudy opened a bed and breakfast and the guests brought a lot of joy and adventure to their lives. In 2002, they moved to Calgary, AB, and Peter continued to find enjoyment working at various retail positions. He worked at the Willow Park Golf Course for seven years, ending just two years ago, this facilitated his passion for golf and he made some great friends there.

One of his greatest pleasures was travelling. In the early days travelling included driving to the west coast, or through the USA. Later it was larger trips, like the South American trip covering six countries in four weeks and thirteen flights. Peter and Trudy then discovered cruising and it is estimated that he went on twelve cruises, primarily in the Caribbean, with the last being Australia and Fiji. Peter took a trip to Thailand by himself, and then two more times with Trudy. Two European trips, a three-week Australian trip, four weeks in Bali and Singapore, four weeks in Panama and Paraguay, and more than ten Costa Rican trips, with one trip lasting five months. All along the way, he made new friends that remained in contact over the years.

Peter had a sweet and gentle soul that attracted so many people. His sense of humour was subtle and sometimes dark, but those who knew him appreciated and participated in his humour.

Peter is survived by his spouse of fifty-seven years, Ortrude (Trudy) Martens (nee Zerbin), his two children, Corina Alexander (Andy Tremorin), and Rodger (Rod) Martens; and his three grandchildren, Andrew Alexander, Harlo Martens, and Laura Martens.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Peter’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99^th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222, or the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca, or the Cancercare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave, Rm 1160, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Tel: 204-787-4143, support.cancercarefdn.mb.ca/memorialdonation.

In living memory of Peter Martens, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th STREET SE, CALGARY, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.