Elaine K. Martens (Lenox)

Elaine passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13, 2022, with family by her side. She was born to Miles and Tena Lenox on Sept 18, 1926, in La Crosse, Wisconsin with her twin sister Eleanor Thompson. She is preceded in death by her older brother Loris Lenox.

Elaine graduated from Logan High SchooI in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Then she attended the Independence Sanitarium School of Nursing during WWII as part of the Cadet Nurse Corps training for the war effort. After the San, Elaine’s professional life included working for 23 years as a private surgical scrub nurse for Doctors Holm and Moen and several other surgeons in Moline, Ill. She took great pride in teaming with the doctors during surgery.

Elaine married Richard W. Martens on April 15, 1956. They raised four children, Mike, Mary, Chris and Craig while they resided in Moline, Ill. She was a grandmother to eight: Megan, Peter, Paul and Eric Martens, Becca Ferguson and Philip Pement, and Daniel and Andrew Martens, as well as grandmother to two step-grandsons, Mark and Johnny Scott. Her great-grandchildren included Caleb, Abby and Love Ferguson, Jillian and Allison Martens, and Ethan, Evan and Andrew Scott.

Elaine was a bundle of energy and was very active in church and volunteer work. She was a member of the Community of Christ, which gave her the opportunity to enjoy the company of others while volunteering for the Laurel Club at the Community of Christ Auditorium. She also enjoyed making pillows for the hospital with the 4f’ers, a sewing group for the Community of Christ congregation of South Crysler. Elaine and Eleanor also were volunteers for numerous community organizations including Meals-on-Wheels and after school JAM clubs in the Independence area. She supported Outreach International from its beginning.

Elaine loved to sing, alone or with others. She was in several musical groups, including Sweet Adeline’s, the Stone Church Messiah Choir, and her congregational choirs. She entertained her friends and caretakers at Cedarhurst Care Center right until her death with her singing.

Some favorite memories the family has of Elaine are hiking in the mountains of Colorado, playing many board games and miniature golf. She loved to bake and everyone enjoyed her Christmas cookies and chocolate brownies. She was always on the go and will be remembered for her generosity, faith, integrity, and energy.

We miss you Mom.