Juanita Buerge Martens

On February 29, 1932 Juanita Mae Penner was born to Abe and Adina Esau Penner in Littlefield, Texas. In 1942 she moved with her parents and her two brothers to Winton, California. She lost her mother at the age of 14 which left her with many of the responsibilities of the home. She often spoke of growing up in Texas during the dust bowl and then moving to California. She gave her heart to the Lord early in her life and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite at Winton California on May 1, 1946 by Minister Dave Dyck. In her quiet way she served the Lord. We often found her Bible lying open on the table. Recently during her illness she shared with us of the peace in her heart.

Juanita married Eugene Buerge on August 16, 1953 and moved to Michigan where they raised their four sons. She was a patient mother and also a gracious person to all she met. She had a ready sense of humor. Family was important to Mom and she dearly loved her children and grandchildren. Picnics at the pond with the family were special times for her.  We remember the big meals she would make when we came for Sunday dinner or on special holidays.  One way she expressed her love for us was by generous gift giving.

Mom loved her flowers and had a beautiful garden and yard. She spent many hours quilting and sewed a baby blanket for each of her grandchildren. She enjoyed singing and we treasure the times Mom sang along with us during her last few weeks.

Our Dad passed away in 1996 and Mom spent several years living alone. In 2001 God led her to a new companion, Kenneth Martens. They enjoyed twelve happy years together. We appreciate the love and care he gave her and feel blessed to call him Dad and Grandpa. She enjoyed good health and an active life until recently when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies. We are grateful for the love shown to her by her caregivers in the last few months, both at home and at Arbor Grove Assisted Living where she peacefully went to her reward on March 19, 2014.

Those left with precious memories are her husband, Kenneth; her sons: Kim and Karen Buerge, Rich Buerge, Chris and Marla Buerge, and Mark and Michelle Buerge all of Ithaca, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Kenneth’s family: Robert and Deb Koehn, Ulysses, Kansas; Gayland and Susan Zeiset, Gentry, Arkansas; Bob and Trish Toews, Lavonia, Georgia; Cam and Jane Klassen, Gentry, Arkansas; and Kendall and Marlys Martens, Inman, Kansas; and their families, her brother, Richard and Martha Mae Penner, Moundridge, Kansas; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale Harms, Ruth and Vernon Nichols, Montezuma, Kansas; Robert and Betty Martens, Inman, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her step-mother, her first husband, her brother Edward, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services for Juanita will be 10:30am Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the Newark Church of God in Christ, Mennonite with burial following at Hayes Road Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4pm and 6-8pm, Saturday, March 22 at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to University of Michigan Parkinson’s Disease Research. Checks may be made out to the University of Michigan and sent to: Medical Development, 1000 Oakbrook, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Donations may also be made via credit card by calling (734) 998-6893.