Joann Helen (Peterson) Martens was born June 15, 1934, in Gresham, to Norbert and Martha (Erks) Peterson and passed away Jan. 31, 2023, surrounded by her family, in Lincoln, at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 16 days after a courageous battle with cancer.
Joann was baptized and confirmed March 21, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Staplehurst. She was united in marriage to Claus Martens on Feb. 3, 1953, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Betty and Linda. Joann was a waitress for 42 years. She enjoyed playing cards, scrap booking and spending time with all her family.
Joann is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Claus Martens; parents-in-law, Claus and Ida Evelyn (Swan) Martens; brothers, Larry Peterson, Donald Peterson; sister, Carolyn Browne; sister-in-law, Ginny Peterson.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her daughters and sons-in-law, Betty and Rob Skolnick, Lincoln, Linda and Lyle Kadavy, Lincoln; grandchildren, Laura (Kadavy) and husband, Matt O’Gorman, Staci (Kadavy) and husband, Michael Jackson, Christopher and wife, Heidi Kadavy, Nicole Skolnick, Cassie (Skolnick) and husband, Marshall Milanuk; great-grandchildren, Mikalah Kadavy, Aiden and Gavin O’Gorman, Tayla and Mya Jackson, Hailey and Carson Milanuk; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Barb Peterson; sister-in-law Karen Peterson; many cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
The funeral service was Feb. 4 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with interment at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or to the Seward Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
