Joann Helen (Peterson) Martens was born on June 15, 1934, in Gresham, Nebraska to Norbert and Martha (Erks) Peterson and passed away on January 31, 2023, surrounded by her family, in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 16 days after a courageous battle with cancer.

Joann was baptized and confirmed on March 21, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Staplehurst, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to Claus Martens on February 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. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of a life shared with Joann.