Obituary: Sandra Claire Martens

Sandra Claire Martens, 81, of the Town of Egg Harbor, WI, was welcomed home to her eternal rest on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 while at Rennes Health & Rehab Center in De Pere with her family at her side.

She was born April 25, 1942 in, Fond du Lac, the daughter of Rufus  Herbert Tank and Olive Bernice (Hanna) Tank. Sandra grew up on the family farm in Van Dyne, WI. Following her graduation from Rosendale High School in 1959, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. There, Sandra met Gerald “Jerry” William Otto Martens. They were united in marriage on June 15, 1963 at her home church, Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, in Van Dyne.

Sandra and Jerry moved to Mequon, WI shortly after getting married. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Scott, Richard, Matthew, and Kristyn.

Sandra worked as a teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools for several years. She then took a break from full-time teaching and dedicated herself to caring for her children at home. Sandra continued with her passion of teaching as a volunteer, and after moving to Egg Harbor, went back to enrich children at Sevastopol School in Institute, WI where she taught kindergarten until she retired in 2002. In her retirement years, she continued her love of nurturing young children and volunteered regularly at Zion Ev. Lutheran School in West Jacksonport. Sandra was blessed with a gift of teaching and a love for her students and impacted the lives of many students throughout the years.

She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church where she enjoyed attending bible class with her friends. One of Sandra’s favorite things was spending family time with her children and grandchildren and looked forward to having everyone together. She also enjoyed her “exercise” classes in the pool at the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay, WI and lunches with friends in Valmy.

Sandra and Jerry were blessed with over 53 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on Jan. 30, 2017.

Sandra’s love will live on in the hearts of her children, Scott (Jodie) Martens of Grafton, Wisconsin, Richard (Terry) Martens of Green Bay, and Kristyn (Barry) Johanek of De Pere; grandchildren, Callie, Mikaylah, and Caleb Martens, Brody and Blake Johanek; siblings, Dianne (Richard) Philipsky of Oakfield, Wisconsin, Art (Jeanne) Tank of Lake Havasu, Arizona, and Debra (Joe) Schneider of Fond du Lac; siblings-in-law, Barbara Martens of Bulverde, Texas, Ralph (Roxanne) Martens of Rochester, Minnesota, Carol Schroeder of Hong Kong, and Marguerite “Margie” (Ned) Goede of Milwaukee, and Sandy Sain of Leesburg, Florida; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.

She was reunited in Heaven with her parents; husband; son, Matthew (2019); parents-in-law, Wilmer and Edna (nee Behnke) Martens; brothers-in-law, Ronald Martens, Gary Schroeder, and Dave Bargenquast; and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in West Jacksonport with Pastor Peter Lindemann officiating. Sandra will be laid to rest in the church cemetery beside her husband, Jerry and son, Matthew.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 pm until 8 pm on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, with a devotion to conclude the evening at 7:45 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday from 9:30 am until 10:45 am.
Memorials may be given in Sandra’s name for Martin Luther College (1995 Luther Court, New Ulm, MN 56073; mlc-wels.edu/donate).

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Sandra may be shared with her family through her tribute page at huehnsfuneralhome.com.