Barbara A. Martens

Barbara A. "Barb" Martens, of Platteville, died on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at her residence in Platteville, at age 64. Barb was born on June 15, 1947, in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of William G. and Carol (Drury) Nabbefeld. She graduated from Platteville High School in 1965, which she remembered proudly. Barb was married to Robert James Martens Jr., on Sept. 7, 1968, in Platteville at St. Mary's Catholic Church. She worked at the Platteville Telephone Company as a telephone operator and did toll investigation work from 1965 to August 1968. She also worked part time taking appointments at Bernard Allen Salon when they first opened. After living in Madison for a year when she was first married, they moved back to Platteville, where she was employed at Heiser Hardware as a clerk and bookkeeper. She then worked as an Optical Assistant for Family Vision Care and for Platteville Eye Associates for 12 years altogether. She had many fond memories working as an Optical Assistant. In later years she provided daycare services for several children and loved each of them dearly. Children were always close to her heart especially, Matthew, Christa, Kaylie, Grace & Noah. Barb's favorite things in life were her family, her children, her friends, Christmas, the Moon, a good snowstorm, decorating for all the holidays, cooking and doing nice things for other people. She was a long time member of St. Mary's Church in Platteville. Barb's faith was very important to her. Barb was a very special Nana and loved all of her family very much.

Barb is survived by her husband, Robert J. Martens, Jr. of Platteville; her two children, daughter, Laura (Greg) Richardson of Verona, WI, and son, Corey (Dianna) Martens of Raleigh, NC; her mother, Carol Nabbefeld, Platteville; five grandchildren, Katie Richardson and Derek Richardson, both of Verona, WI, and Grey Martens, Ella Martens, and Sydney Martens, all of Raleigh, NC; a brother, Craig Nabbefeld, of Cross Plains, WI; a sister, Karen (Wells) Laszewski of Cross Plains, WI; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, William G. Nabbefeld.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville with Father Jon Del-Priorea officiating. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Family and friends called on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Martin Schwartz Funeral Home in Platteville and on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. At Barb's request, in lieu of flowers and plants, memorials can be directed to the St. Mary's Catholic School in Platteville.