Obituary Record

Ted L.R. Martin
Died on 4/21/2026
Buried in God's Acre (St. Paul's) Cemetery

From obituary printed in the April 28, 2026 Enterprise

(photo)

Ted L. R. Martin of Arlington, NE joined his Savior on April 21, 2026 in Blair, NE.

Ted was born on November 7, 1925 to Edward and Catherine Martin at Millard, NE. He grew up with 7 brothers and sisters on a dairy and chicken hatchery farm at 180th & Harrison St., Omaha NE. He was bap- tized and confirmed at St Paul’s Lutheran Churchin Millard, NE. He graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1944 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 during World War II.

On November 7, 1950,Ted married the love of his life, Bonnie Lou Kruse. Together they were married 75 years and worked together building their farm and dairy operation. Ted strived for a Registered Holstein herd through which he gained many lifelong friends. He also raised and sold registered soybean seed to many area farmers through which he gained many friends and acquaintances.

Ted began farming in Bennington and Kennard and settled at their farm north of Arlington for 63 years. It was on this farm that they were blessed with two children, Linda and Renick.

Ted was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, NE, where he held many leadership roles. He also was very active in various local and national dairy organizations. He helped organize the Nebraska DHIA association and was President for 4 years and attended many National conventions. He organized and led the Determined Dairymen 4-H Club for 12 years and used his Navy experience to teach knot tying to many of the club members.

Ted was a member of the Arlington Veterans Club Post 71.

In 1991, he rekindled his interest in hand cornhusking, that he learned as a youngster while picking corn at home with his brothers. He began competing in the Nebraska State Cornhusking Competition and continued to participate until the age of 93. He also travelled to adjacent states to participate in their state and National Cornhusking contests. He placed 2nd at Nationals in 1994. Ted and Bonnie hosted the state contest at their farm in 2000 and 2001.

He also used his retirement to restore several Massey-Fergusen trac- tors and attend auctions to gather corn hooks.

Ted also enjoyed travelling to many different states in the US and took cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska along with a trip to Europe to visit their Foreign Exchange son, Hans Groenendyk from the Nether- lands. They also enjoyed watching their grandchildren in various activities.

Ted is survived by his wife of 75 years, Bonnie, children Linda (Don) Woodring of Blair, Renick (Mona) Martin of Austin, Texas, grand- children Abby Biodrowski of Portland, OR, Ashley(Nate) Williams of Tekamah, NE, Mackenzie (Peter) Quigley of Louisville, KY and Trever(Jessica) Martin of Austin, Tx., and 8 great-grandchildren.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Catherine Martin, brothers Lyle, T. Dale, and R. Sterling Martin, and sisters Eula Bee Corban, Jeanette Klostermeyer, Harriet Black, and Marilyn Hawbaker-Burton.

Funeral service will be 11 A.M., Friday, April 24, 2026 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Arlington, Nebraska. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at church. Burial will take place at St. Paul's Cemetery near Arlington, Nebraska.

Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home, 232 West Eagle, Arlington, Nebraska 68002 402-478-4151

~~~from obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave # 297790473

Printed in the Washington County Enterprise on 4/28/2026


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