Martin Wiens

Martin Wiens 1912 ~ 2006 Martin Wiens, 94, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2006. He was born Sept. 15, 1912 in Karpowka, Russia to Gerhardt Heinrich and Maria Dueckmann Wiens. They were not of Russian decent and during the Russian revolution they were prisoners of a sort. The family endured many hardships during that time. In 1922, when Martin was 10, they managed to escape and with the help from relatives already in America, they immigrated here. They were thrilled to see the Statue of Liberty. After their release from Ellis Island, they traveled to the Midwest where they took up farming and again with the help of relatives, moved to Montana and eventually settled in Aberdeen, ID. As a young man, Martin enjoyed herding sheep in the Tetons. After a time he felt the need to get on with his life and learn a trade. He traveled to Los Angeles, CA. There he met and fell in love with a young lady from Salt Lake City, Kathleen Johnson, who had moved there to be with her siblings. After a year's courtship, they were married on Nov. 26, 1941, just 11 days before the Pearl Harbor attack. Martin later enlisted in the Army and served valiantly on the European battleground. He earned five campaign stars and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. With the war over, he joined his wife in Salt Lake where they chose to reside. In 1955, they moved to their present home in Sandy. Martin was a convert to the LDS Church. After much study, prayer and the friendship and dedication of two home teachers, he was baptized on Oct. 27, 1979. A year later, Martin and Kathleen were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1981, they accepted a mission call to St. George, UT. Upon their return they were called to be ordinance workers in the new Jordan River Temple, which they enjoyed for nine years. Before his failing eyesight, he was an avid reader. He enjoyed walking through the neighborhood, gardening and fishing. They also enjoyed many trips together. He dearly loved his family, his country and the gospel. He will be greatly missed by his wife of over 64 years and children, Marsha (John) Perelle, Brent (Dorothy) Wiens, Jeri (Doug) Grose, Lori Rivera and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters Frieda Olson, Boise; and Zelma Pimentel, CA. Preceded in death by parents, two brothers and three sisters. A special thanks to the great caregivers at Silverado Care Facility (Aspen Wing) who helped Martin during his last month. A viewing will be held Wed., Oct. 25, 2006 from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT. Funeral Services will be Thurs, Oct. 26 at 12:00 noon at the Hillcrest 2nd Ward, 8735 So. Harvard Park Drive (1150 East), where a viewing will be held from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Interment at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors. Condolences to www.larkinmortuary.com.