Gloria Martens

OVERLAND PARK, KS — Gloria F. Martens, 81, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Advent Health Shawnee Mission. Born April 23, 1944, in Breckenridge, MN, Gloria was the second daughter of Frank and Sophie Grindy. She carried throughout her life the family’s unsentimental view that “Murphy’s Law is optimistic.”

She married Dennis Martens on October 20, 1960. The couple had three children in eight years, settled in Dubuque, Iowa, and parted ways. Gloria raised her children in Dubuque before relocating to Overland Park in 1985, where she continued working in administrative and sales support roles. After a second marriage, Gloria lived independently for the next five decades.

At work she was dedicated and valued, her home was defined by preparedness and cleanliness, and for her family there was nothing she wouldn’t do. From crisis management to serving French toast and homemade rolls for brunch, she had her loved ones covered—especially when it came to her grandchildren. In life, she never asked for much, often got even less back, and kept going anyway.

Survivors include daughters Kim Martens and Kathy Fields (Jess), and son Michael Martens (Sally). She remained close throughout her life to Shelley Tirrell (stepdaughter from her second marriage). She is also survived by grandchildren Hannah Fields, Jarod Martens, Sam Fields, Nicole Martens, Jessica Martens, and Nicolas Martens, great grandchildren Mason and Ava, and nephews Bryce and Brett Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Gayle Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, on March 26, 2026, beginning with a visitation at 1:00 p.m., services at 2:00 p.m., followed by the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation, which supported Gloria during her treatment for myasthenia gravis.