Joseph H. “Joe” Martens

Sheldon, Iowa

Services for Joe Martens, age 68, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon. His memorial mass will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheldon with Father Siby Punnoose, officiating.

To view Joe's service please register at: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=08de4588-7524-4325-aa4b-a9465f7cf168

Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Sheldon.

A rosary will be at 4:30 P.M. with visitation with family present from 5 to 7 P.M. on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Highway 60 Catholic Cluster.

IN LOVING MEMORY

JOSEPH H. MARTENS

BORN

July 20, 1957

Sheldon, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

December 20, 2025

Sheldon, Iowa

MEMORIAL MASS

10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 27, 2025

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church; Sheldon, Iowa

Father Siby Punnoose - Officiating

MUSIC

“Spirit In The Sky” – Norman Greenbaum

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

#439 “Be Not Afraid” 

#812 “Song Of Farewell”

#207 “Holy God”

Organist: Margaret Anderson

Cantor: Tyler Youngers

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS

Libby Martens Shakota Burmeister

Val Schoo Tammy Heibult

Katie Martens Katie Koopman

FINAL RESTING PLACE

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

Sheldon, Iowa

After today’s graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:

Highway 60 Catholic Cluster

In lieu of a thank you card, Joe’s family would like to express their appreciation of thoughts and prayers, your presence, gifts, and cards.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

JOSEPH H. MARTENS

Joseph Henry Martens, the son of Walter and Evelyn (Betz) Martens, was born on July 20, 1957, in Sheldon, Iowa. He received his education from Sheldon Schools and graduated from Sheldon High School in 1975. Joe was united in marriage to Hazel Geerdes on January 15, 1977, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, Iowa. Joe was a mechanic working for himself and other mechanic shops. Joe passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center at the age of 68 years, and 5 months.

Joe was faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He loved anything Mopar, Dodge vehicles, and tinkering and his ability to fix anything and everything. He was known for his generosity.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Hazel Martens, children, Travis Martens, Angie (Mark) Broesder, and Bruce (Terra) Martens; six grandchildren, Patrick, Nicholas and Thomas, Shakota (Shorty), Libby (Stretch), and Emma (Ralph); siblings, John (Evelyn) Martens, Stanley (Barbara) Martens, and Lila (Charles) Kummerfeld; also, other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, daughter-in-law, Daniela Martens and brother, Philip Martens.