Jacob L. Martens, age 84, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current. Jacob was born on June 4, 1926, at the farm north of Rush Lake, SK, to Jacob & Anna Martens, the youngest of five children. He completed grade 8 at Rockside School. He accepted Christ as his Savior at 13 years of age. Through his younger years he worked on the farm with his dad where he developed his love for farming. Jac loved to hunt and trap but most of all to break and train young horses. When he was 16, a horse kicked him and broke his leg, resulting in a lengthy stay at the Herbert Hospital. The fracture left him with a limp that he carried for the rest of his life. His favorite time of the year was harvest time, and he particularly enjoyed working on the threshing crews. The harvest of 1946 yielded a crop of grain and a special relationship with Eva Klassen, the prettiest cook around. On June 7, 1947, that courtship concluded in their marriage. That fall, Jac & Eva took over the family farm. The next 7 years Jac took a lot of initiative modernizing the farm. Other changes involved adding 3 children to the family, Shirley, Ken and Vern. In the fall of 1954, they moved to Springstein, MB where they farmed for 7 years and completed their family with Dan. In the fall of 1961, they moved back to Saskatchewan to a farm at Main Centre. The fall of 1972, saw the family move to Rush Lake to become dairy farmers. To accommodate the marriages of their sons, Jac & Eva moved to Herbert, and subsequently to Rush Lake and then to the acreage across from the dairy farm. He actively farmed until 1997, when they semi-retired to Swift Current. Jac remained very active by integrating into condo life, including maintenance, board involvement and with Eva, serving the residents of his community. On September 25, 2003, he lost his sweetheart of 56 years. In July of 2005, he married Mary Hildebrandt, and together enjoyed nearly 5 and a half years. Jac leaves to treasure his memory, his wife, Mary; his children, Shirley & Wayne Josefson, Ken & Darlene Martens, Vern & Trudy Martens, Dan & Nancy Martens; his "full dozen" grandchildren, Michelle Josefson, Suzanne & Chris Beckel, Mark Josefson, Corrine & Jason Peters, Curtis Martens, LaNae Martens, Jared Martens, Carmen Martens, Cindy & Ryan Emmons, Sheri Martens, Crystal Martens and Dominick & Mellisa Martens; 4 (almost 5) Great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Herman Heinrichs; and numerous members of the extended families. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Eva; 4 sisters; and 2 brothers-in-law. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 2:00 pm from the Church of the Open Bible, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Rob Cochrane officiating. The pianist for the service was Barb Klassen accompanied by Shirley Deobald on the organ. Pastor David Pollard read scripture from Isaiah 53:4-6 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. "Does Jesus Care" and "What A Day that Will Be" were sung by the congregation under the direction of Pastor Rob Cochrane. Tributes were shared by Myron for the Hildebrandt family, Michelle, Corrine, Carmen and Crystal on behalf of the Martens' Grandchildren, Shirley and Vern for the Martens' family and by a PowerPoint tribute. Special music was provided by Ray Wittman and Verlan Deobald singing, "Master's Bouquet" and "Won't It Be Wonderful There". The ushers in the church were Jac Rempel, Erna Jantzen, Garnet Klassen and Bill Wall. The private family Interment Service was held at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with the Grandchildren serving as pallbearers. In memory of Jacob L. Martens, donations made to the Gideons International or to the PrairieGleaners Society, 112 First St. SW, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A3Y9 would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.