Hundreds attend funeral for Chase Martens

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This article was published 30/03/2016 (3675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MACGREGOR — Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday to say goodbye to a little boy whose disappearance and tragic death united hearts across the country.

They gathered at the MacGregor Sommerfeld Mennonite Church to bid adieu to two-year-old Chase Thomas Martens, whose body was found in a creek after he went missing from his nearby home, north of Austin.

“You have an angel in heaven waiting, for each and every one of us,” Pastor Abe Guenther told Chase’s mother, father and two young sisters who were seated in the front pews of the church for the boy’s funeral.

The church reached capacity with mourners, as the family was joined at the ceremony by more than 500 people.

Chase went missing in the evening of March 22 while playing outside of his house. His body was found Saturday in a creek close to the residence following a search that included hundreds of volunteers.

An autopsy determined Chase had drowned and RCMP say foul play has been ruled out. It’s believed Chase wandered from his home and accidentally fell into the creek.

Prior to Wednesday service, visitors filed past the body of Chase, who lay in a small white coffin and wore an all-white tuxedo with a bow tie.

His little hands crossed on top of him, it looked as though he were sleeping.

“You just kind of feel like picking him up,” said Mary Reimer, a church member who knows Chase’s family.

Chase’s parents, Destiny Turner and Thomas Martens, sat beside Chase as well-wishers offered handshakes and hugs.

When moved to tears, Destiny would lean against Tom for support. In return, he wrapped his arm around her for comfort.

As the ceremony drew near, the list of names and hometowns written in the guest ledger grew longer. They came from Austin, MacGregor, Portage la Prairie and other communities.

About 17 uniformed members of area fire departments filled some of the front rows. Like others at the service, they had taken part in the search for Chase. One of their members is related to Chase’s family.

Many children attended the funeral.

The words, “So small, so sweet, so soon” were printed beside a photo of Chase in the funeral program.

Her voice breaking as she read the boy’s obituary, Chase’s grandmother, Margaret Martens, recalled her grandson as an intelligent, loving and affectionate child.

“We will miss his laughter, his giggles, his energetic ways, and the way he would show his love and affection to his mommy, daddy and his sisters,” Martens read.

She described how Chase loved animals and liked to watch his dad work with machinery. He enjoyed music, playing soccer and eating. Mealtimes were his favourite, and before the family ate he would bow his head in prayer with them.

Chase’s casket was carried to a waiting silver hearse following the funeral.

His sister, six-year-old Danika — holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a little red coat and pink sunglasses — blew kisses and waved as the hearse drove away. She could be heard saying, “Bye, Chase.”

As the hearse travelled farther away, Danika became visibly upset and dropped to the ground where she was picked up by her mom and hugged for comfort. Chase’s eldest sister, seven-year-old Taylor, was at the service, too.

During the service, Guenther mentioned that he had received calls from as far away as British Columbia and Texas from those wishing to offer prayers for the family.

Chase will be laid to rest at the Grand Rapids First Nation, where his mother is from. His mother said that is where she hopes to be laid to rest. Wakes will be held at the First Nation on Thursday and Friday, and a funeral will held there Saturday.

ihitchen@brandonsun.com

Twitter: @IanHitchen