Mom was born to George and Agnes Thiessen on October 4, 1933 in the Watrous/Meadow Lake area of Saskatchewan, where she spent her early years and where she attended school. In the mid 40's, her family moved to a farm northwest of Steinbach. She quit school at an early age, and went to work in Steinbach at Reimer's Store. In her late teens, Mom, together with a friend, moved to Winnipeg - they shared an apartment and worked at the University of Manitoba, working in the food services area. (A treat during these early years in Winnipeg was going to Salsbury House for a piece of flapper pie.) In the early 50's Mom met Dad -- they married on August 1, 1953. They remained in Winnipeg and raised their family here. Once the children were a little older, Mom rejoined the work force, in food services both at St. Amant and The Bay, and later, cleaning people's homes. Mom enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing. We were often guinea pigs when it came to meal time - "Did you want to come for supper? I'm trying a new recipe." We were seldom disappointed, though; there were a few oddities now and again. We were also the recipients of her sewing, crocheting and knitting skills. Projects included making jean jackets and blankets, sitting down with Dave to design and sew a screen room for our tent trailer, moving the sewing machine out into the back yard, and sitting on the lawn to sew a kite made out of the bottom of a 9 by 12 tent (that thing really flew, it was huge), crocheting table cloths, knitting mitts, scarves and sweaters, just to name a few. Mom shared her gifts with many, and many enjoyed them. She was also involved in Church activities, including teaching Sunday School, participating in what was then called "ladies aid", helping out in the kitchen, baking for the after school program and even for next week's DVBS. Mom and Dad also enjoyed camping with family and friends, and after retirement, traveling, sometimes in their truck and camper, other times flying, to various destinations. They spent a number of summers at Sunnyside Campground just north of Kenora where she enjoyed going for walks and picking blue berries on some of the islands while Dad was fishing, and hoping that Dad would please remember on which island he dropped her off. In August last year, Mom caught everyone by surprise when she suddenly became ill and was diagnosed with cancer. This past winter she took a fall and broke her wrist -- she never fully recovered from either. In the last couple of weeks, there were more bad days than good and on Monday, Dad took Mom to emergency. On Tuesday, June 30th, Mom passed away peacefully to spend eternity with her Lord and Saviour. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Peter Martens, her sons Dave (wife Margaret), Bob (wife Wendy) and daughter Donna (husband Greg), 4 grandchildren, Sandy, Storie, Landin and Jake and one great grandson, Kory, all of whom she loved. She is also survived by one brother, Al Thiessen, many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Mom was predeceased by her parents, George and Agnes Thiessen and her sister Velma. The memorial service will be held Friday, July 3, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. at the Sterling Mennonite Church, 1008 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, MB, with ash interment at Mennonite Memorial Gardens, Winnipeg. If friends so desire, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9.