PETER GEORGE MARTENS, beloved husband of the late Lydia Martens passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Coaldale Health Centre on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at the age of 76 years.

Peter was born September 5, 1933 in the Ukraine and immigrated to Alberta in September, 1948. He married Lydia Siebert on September 3, 1955, and they were long-term residents of Coaldale.

He worked for many years in Coaldale with Bird Construction as a carpenter and Job Superintendent. In Calgary, he worked for CJ Oliver Ltd. and then Ariais Spanish Construction of Lethbridge, which did work on Kate Andrews High School. He owned and operated a sash and door shop in Coaldale and in 1967 he started up Square Deal Homes to which he later added Real Estate. He was a very successful businessman in the Coaldale area and supported many community and sports endeavours.

Peter was instrumental in the start-up of the current Land 'O Lakes Golf Course. It was his initiative and foresight that realized the beginnings and organization of plans and investors for strategic development.

He is an Honorary Life Member of the local St. Ambrose Knights of Columbus, of which he served a term as Grand Knight. He is also a Life Member of the Coaldale Kinsmen Club and was a member of the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce. He was on the first Board of St. Joseph School, which started up in 1957 and saw the construction of the school in 1958. He served as a trustee for 25 years and was the Chairman of the Board for 12 of those years. The St. Joseph School Library is named in his honour. He also served as a Director of the Alberta School Trustee Association, the Alberta Catholic Schools Trustees' Association, and with SASA when it was required for teacher negotiations.

Peter had a great love for his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. While quiet by nature, he was always extremely proud of their achievements. While he was an avid golfer, his greatest joy was his home and spending time in his yard as a gardener and landscaper.

His advice, concern, and love will be sorely missed by his children: Tony (Donna) Martens, Jim (Nancy) Martens, Karen (Earl) Blakie, Alan (Connie) Martens, and Kelly (Darrell) Vaselenak; his grandchildren Trevor, Lisa (Brian), Robert, Ryan (Courtenay), Brett, Nathan, Riley, Darren (Janis), Scott, Alix, Eric, Brendan, Shiana, Krista, Dustin and Blake; and his great-grandchildren Andrew, Ethan, Ava, Allie and Owen. He also leaves to mourn his sister Erna (Rudy) Adrian, his sisters-in-law Helen van der Sloot and Lucy Siebert, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Lydia in 2005, son Bruce in 2007, parents Annie and John Wall, and his father Peter Martens.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, August 23, 2010 at ST. AMBROSE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1513 23rd Avenue, Coaldale, Alberta, led by Deacon Ray Wagner.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at ST. AMBROSE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Coaldale, Alberta, with Father Tomy Manjaly, celebrant.

Interment will follow in the family plot at Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge Alberta.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Coaldale Health Centre, 2100 11th Street, Coaldale, AB T1M 1L2 in memory of Peter.