MILDRED MARTENS

Mildred Joan Martens (Millie), age 85, passed peacefully into heaven with her family and close friends at her side, on October 14, 2022. She was born on September 5, 1937, to the late Leonard and Ioma Ritchie (White).

Millie grew up in Ontonagon, MI and graduated from Ontonagon High School. She moved to Green Bay, WI to attend Comptroller School. Upon completing her training she moved to Neenah, WI where she met Ralph O. Martens on a blind date. The couple married on August 20, 1960 and spent 60 years together. Millie was employed as a Bookkeeper for the Grant Company in the Valley Fair Shopping Center, Spiegel Catalog Company, and Kimberly Clark: Atlas Mill.

Millie's Christian faith was a very important part of her life. She was an active church member who was involved mostly with the Children's Ministry. Millie was passionate about loving others and sharing the gospel message with them. She was quick to welcome others into her family and was known as the Kool-Aid mom in the neighborhood.

Millie enjoyed music, laughing, genealogy, collecting salt & pepper shakers, working in her flower garden, trips to the zoo, walks in the park, sitting by the lake with her family, and KitKat candy bars. She was always busy with church events, working on crafts or spending time with family.

Millie is survived by her daughter, Lynda (Mark) Wiedenhaupt; sister-in-law, Ila Mae Ritchie; many adored nieces, nephews and caring cousins. We celebrate that Millie has been reunited with her husband, Ralph O. Martens. She is further preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Ioma Ritchie; brothers, Kenneth Ritchie, George White, Brother-in-law, Karl H. Martens, and Father & Mother-in-law, Ralph H. (Elsie) Janssen.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 20, at 11:00 am, at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home, with Pastor John Kieffer officiating. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 pm and again on Thursday from 10:00 am until the hour of service. A private burial will be held for close friends and family. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Millie's favorite ministry, International Children's Fund at ICFAID.org.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the medical team's excellent care given to Millie, especially Dr. Lisa Kokontis, MD, Dr. Kristine Juntunen, MD, Dr. Timothy Wycoff, MD, Dr. Matthew Bayer, MD, and Peg McEwen, NP. We are very grateful for the guidance and compassionate care given to Millie and her family by Heartwood Senior Living. We appreciate AseraCare Hospice for their knowledge, compassion, and encouragement towards the end of life, especially Nurse Kayla. May God richly bless you all for your dedicated service!