Margaret Martens Groening
April 18th, 2019
Margaret Groening was born 100 years ago in Khersen, Russia to Jacob and Margaret Goerzen. She came to Canada with her family in 1926 and settled in Tofield, Alberta. After completing Bible School in La Glace Alberta, she came to Vancouver to work as a nanny and was part of the “Madchenheim” sisterhood. In 1944 she married David Martens and after living several years in Arnold, they settled in Aldergrove for 16 years before moving to Clearbrook. They had 5 daughters born to them, Marlene, Linda, Lori, Helen and Marianne.
Margaret was very active in her church communities, Ross Road Community Church and Clearbrook MB Church. She sewed many blankets and clothing for orphanages and “Helping Hands” and MCC. She knit hundreds of toques for missions.
Margaret always had her table ready to invite others for a meal. Her Faith was shared with everyone she met. She memorized scripture and had a very active prayer life, presenting to the Lord every family member and everyone she had met that day, whether it was the ambulance driver, the clerk at the grocery store, or the RCMP officers who helped her change her tire. She desired that all came to know the Lord. When she could no longer be completely independent, she lived at Tabor Court Assisted Living for several years before moving to Weatherby 2 Pavilion in White Rock for the past 4 years. She entered into her eternal home on April 18, 2019.
Margaret was pre-deceased by her husband David Martens (1978) and second husband Jacob Groening (2001), her brothers John, Jacob, Henry, Peter and sister Justine, her son-in-law Herb Krause and step-son Alfred Groening. She leaves to mourn her sister Katherine Goertzen, sisters-in-law Adeline Goertzen and Susan Goertzen, her children Marlene (Harry) Unruh, Linda (Ron) Starkenburg, Lori (Guy) Sinclair, Helen (Gary) Coughlin, Marianne (Tim) Hill, 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, step-daughter Hilde (John) Wiebe, step-daughter-in-law Helga (Dieter) Gotthardt, 4 step-grandchildren, 6 step-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank all the care staff at Tabor Court Abbotsford and at Weatherby 2 Pavilion in White Rock for their generous, loving care they provided for our mom.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2 from 7 – 9 pm at the Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services, 3070 – 275A Street Aldergrove. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Clearbrook MB Church 2719 Clearbrook Rd, Abbotsford on Friday, May 3 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, you may choose to give to Avant Ministries Canada.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Linda and family, Our deepest condolences. What a remarkable testimony and legacy. We would have loved to have been there for her services.