Former Morse MLA Harold Martens is being remembered as a kind man dedicated to family and friends with a passion for agriculture.

SSGA President Garner Deobald says the Herbert area farmer and rancher served as president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association from 2011 to 2014.

"He was very much appreciated. The work and effort that he put into into serving on the SSGA board. You know  it's always of such great value to have someone like that serve, and you know we were very appreciative of that."

Marten's true love of community and agriculture were evident by his involvement on various committees.

"He advocated and was a strong supporter of all things agriculture here in the province. He was somebody I think that was always willing to give freely of his time and you know, help out in any way he possibly could. He was involved for many years in municipal politics and then also served as an MLA through some very difficult years in you know, through the drought years of the 80s."

The Chair of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association Arnold Balicki says he was a wonderful advocate for Saskatchewan's cattle industry.

"His extensive knowledge provided important contributions to the conversation around the current and future state of our industry."

He served on the SCA board on behalf of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) for over six years, and represented the SCA on several boards, including the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan.

"In those roles, he was a staunch defender of Saskatchewan’s cattle producers and our industry."

SCA Vice Chair Keith Day says the cattle industry benefited from his representation and experience.

Martens was also a dedicated politician at the municipal and provincial level.

He served as reeve of the RM of Excelsior and represented the former Morse constituency in the Saskatchewan Legislature from 1982 to 1995 serving in Premier Grant Devine's government.

Harold Martens was 81

The Funeral Service will take place on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 2:00 pm from Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current.

The service is being livestreamed a link is available on the Swift Current Funeral Home website.