MARIA MARTEN (née Gruss) passed away peacefully at Fairmont Extendicare, on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the age of 90 years.

Maria is survived by her children, Renate, Connelia (David) and Karl (Charlotte); grandchildren, Lindsay, Karina (Boyd), Kris (Jody), Skye (Richard) and Iain and great-grandchildren, Bryson, Breanna, Caderick and Dallin. She is also survived by her brother Karl-Heinz (Gudrun) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Maria was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Otto Marten who passed away in May 2020, as well as her parents Karl and Anna Gruss, siblings Adolf, Annemarie, Lydia, Hanni, Wilhelm, and Arthur and parents-in-law Karl and Frieda Marten.

Maria was born September 25, 1931 in Koenigswald, Sudetenland, Germany, one of eight children to Karl and Anna Gruss. Growing up during the second world war was difficult and incredible challenging. She and her family had to endure many things.

Maria met Otto at a dance on May 1, 1949, fell in love and dated for five years before getting married on May 22, 1954 in Germany. In 1955, the couple immigrated to Canada. Maria joined Otto at one of the first jobs, working at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton. They then moved to Lethbridge, Alberta where they started their family.

Together, Maria and Otto started a landscaping business. Maria was a partner in Otto Marten Landscaping, a business they owned and operated for over 45 years until they retired. Maria helped run the business and worked in the field, laying sod and paving stones, and often working harder and faster than the hired hands. The paving stones to the entrance of the Japanese garden, and Fort Whoop-up, were all placed by Maria. She was a tough lady and a hard worker!

Maria went out of her way to be helpful to the people around her and did her best to assist when there were needs to be met in her community. She would help newcomers to Canada from Germany with furniture and all the other things needed to establish a new home. She was quick to throw on her leather gloves to help with any tough jobs that needed doing and was also glad to lend an ear and listen to your troubles.

Maria was an active member in the German Canadian Club and was on the executive board, where she helped for many years. Maria loved being around people and baked the most beautiful German cakes you ever laid your eyes on or sunk your teeth into. She often hosted dinner parties for over 35 people and served her beautiful cakes as dessert.

She was incredibly proud of her German heritage, and always looked forward to attending Oktoberfest every year in the city. Maria always arrived in her Dirndl and her huge beer glass; many people took pictures of her and Otto at Oktoberfest.

Maria was truly an extraordinary woman with many talents, it seemed she could do almost anything. She sang, wrote poetry and was very artistic. But most of all, she was the best Mamma and Oma anyone could ever have!

A Funeral Service will be held at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 20 Rocky Mountain Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Lee Loveridge officiating. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Maria's obituary on the Cornerstone website.

Following the service, Maria will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Otto in Royal View Cemetery.