Lois Ruth Martens

Lois Ruth Martens, 89, of Peoria passed away 9:57 am Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Lutheran Hillside Village. Lois Ruth (Kruse) Martens was born in rural Bennington, NE in the family farm home to Christian and Rose (Petersen) Kruse on February 25, 1930. When she was 11, the family moved from the farm into the big city of Omaha. Lois graduated from Benson high school in Omaha and began to work for Augsburg Publishing House. Her responsibilities often took her to church conventions and conferences where she would be in charge of setting up product displays for the publishing house. It was at one of those conventions that she met her future husband, Rudolf Martens, a young ALC pastor, serving Christ Lutheran Church in Kansas City, MO. They married on November 11, 1953 and together served that church for 32 more years. Lois and Rudy welcomed three daughters into their family and all experienced what they consider almost 2 pastoral calls there. In the late 60's, the neighborhood dramatically changed due to Open Housing laws and they suddenly found themselves serving in what could have been considered the Inner City for over the last 15 years. As their daughters grew, Lois found time to work outside of the home at Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City. As a pastor's wife, she performed many of the duties expected of her - singing in the Choir, helping with VBS, participating in Women's Ministry, etc. In February, 1985, their first granddaughter was born in Peoria and later in the Fall of that year, Rudy accepted a call to Immanuel Lutheran in Minonk, a mere 45 minute drive from their oldest 2 daughters and families. Lois was a faithful pastor's wife in Minonk as well and loved being closer to her grandchildren. Kristen and Katie would look forward to their monthly visits to visit Grandma and Grandpa in their fun 2 story house, with a lovely park nearby. In 1991, Rudy retired from active ministry and he and Lois moved into their very own first home in north central Peoria. Lois would accompany Rudy when he did fill-in preaching around the area and also when he performed interim pastoral duties. When Rudy died in 1995, Lois remained in their precious home, close to church and all of her volunteer activities. She absolutely loved her weekly estate sales and enjoyed working in her yard. Lois was a faithful volunteer at the Church Mouse Thrift Shop and would often snag beautiful designer clothes there to add to her closet. She was always a sharp dresser, enjoying beautiful accessories. She could put together the loveliest outfits from thrift stores, garage and estate sales. Her home was full of 'treasures' that she had found in these places and she loved to decorate her home with them. Lois was a member of St Paul Lutheran Church in Peoria and later, one of the founding charter members of Living Waters Church in Peoria. In both, she continued to joyfully sing in the choir and attend women's ministry events and functions. She served on the board of Lutheran Hillside Village and also Lutheran Women of Greater Peoria for many, many years! That reality made it even more sweet when the LORD graciously opened up a miraculous path for her to move into the Village's Nursing Center. In October 2011, Lois suffered a mini stroke in Holland Michigan while visiting her first great grandchild. This began the long and steady decline into a rare, difficult and challenging form of dementia. Lois often implored the LORD to take her home to be with him as she hated losing her independence and quality of life. Lois loved and was very proud of her three daughters. She was grateful that they all married good men who loved Jesus. She was especially proud of her 2 granddaughters and was so pleased that Kristen and Noah were called into ordained ministry to serve as church pastors and that Katie answered the call to serve in worship ministry. In the past year and a half, she was visibly thrilled that Katie and Todd found one another and that Todd had also been involved in ministry through global missions. Lois is survived by her sister, Janice Reimer of Omaha, NE , her daughters Kathy (Kim) Post of Peoria and Vicki (Brad) Post of East Peoria, Joan (Gene) Polito of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughters Kristen (Noah) Livingston of Ann Arbor, MI and Katie (Todd) Griffin of St Louis, MO and her precious great grandchildren, Rowan, Brennan and Micah Livingston of Ann Arbor, MI. as well as nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Lutheran Hillside Village Nursing center for their exceptional loving and faithful care of Lois! They would also like to thank Transitions Hospice for their tender care since January of this year when Mom fell and broke her pelvis. To Pastor Mark Schoenhals and the many members of Living Waters church who would visit and encourage Lois and her family, we are most grateful! Funeral services will be at 10:00 am November 8, 2019 at Living Waters Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 5-7;00 PM November 7, 2019 also at the church. There will be an additional visitation one hour prior to services. Pastor Mark Schoenhals will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Omaha, NE. Gifts can be made to Living Waters Lutheran Church in Peoria Illinois or the Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation Benevolent Fund, which personally assisted Lois. Cemetery Details Hillcrest Cemetery 5701 Center Street Omaha, NE 68106 Previous Events Visitation NOV 7. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CT) Living Waters Lutheran Church 7229 N Knoxville Ave Peoria, IL 61614 Visitation NOV 8. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (CT) Living Waters Lutheran Church 7229 N Knoxville Peoria, IL 61614 Service NOV 8. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CT) Living Waters Lutheran Church 7229 N Knoxville Ave Peoria, IL 61614

Lois Ruth Martens

February 25, 1930 - November 5, 2019