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Martin F. Koolen, 88, of Fremont, passed away on May 24th, 2026.
He was born on July 15th, 1937 in Lincoln, NE to Martin and Althea Koolen. He attended Lincoln High School where he was a proud member of the hall of fame 1955 basketball team who was undefeated in the regular season but was upset in the state semi-finals. He then went on to attend Midland Lutheran College where he continued his basketball career with the Warriors and also earned a degree in education. He started his career as a science teacher, coach, and counselor in the Millard Public Schools System. He then returned to his alma mater to work as an admissions counselor at Midland. After a brief time in Billings Montana, they moved back to Nebraska where Marty became a director of Special Education at ESU #2 in Fremont. He would go on to become the Chief Administrator of ESU #2 until his retirement in 1999. Marty was very involved in the Fremont Community, serving as the President of the Midland alumni associations, member of the Fremont High, Bergan, and Midland Booster Clubs, as well as a long time member of Rotary in Fremont. He also served as a YMCA coach for many flag football, soccer, and basketball teams. One of his proudest accomplishments was that he was one of four co-founders of the Fremont Nighthawks baseball organization that is still in existence today.
He met Jacqueline Moore in July of 1969 and they immediately hit it off, so much so that he asked her to marry him by October, and they were married March 21st, 1970. They lived most of their 56 years of marriage together in Fremont. Here they had three sons - Marty, Jeff, and Kelley Michael who all grew up in Fremont and graduated from Fremont High. Over the last 26 years since Marty's retirement, he and Jacquie were blessed with 5 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. His biggest passion over the last 26 years has been attending all of their various activities including dance recitals, theater performances, and athletic events.
Marty was a wonderful husband and father, who was a friend to many in the Fremont community. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Jacquie, son Martin V and his wife Annie and two grandsons Martin VI and Calvin. Also survived by son Jeff and his wife Jennifer and grandsons Shea, Brady, and CJ, as well as son Mike and his wife Erin and two granddaughters Alaina and Kaylee. He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father Althea and Martin Koolen III, and his sister Christy Koolen. He is also survived by his brother Kent Koolen and sister Gretchen Wagner as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday May 29th at 11:00 am at Fremont Presbyterian Church with a lunch at the church to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Fremont Family YMCA to support youth programs and the member financial assistance program.
Ludvigsen Mortuary in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
He was born on July 15th, 1937 in Lincoln, NE to Martin and Althea Koolen. He attended Lincoln High School where he was a proud member of the hall of fame 1955 basketball team who was undefeated in the regular season but was upset in the state semi-finals. He then went on to attend Midland Lutheran College where he continued his basketball career with the Warriors and also earned a degree in education. He started his career as a science teacher, coach, and counselor in the Millard Public Schools System. He then returned to his alma mater to work as an admissions counselor at Midland. After a brief time in Billings Montana, they moved back to Nebraska where Marty became a director of Special Education at ESU #2 in Fremont. He would go on to become the Chief Administrator of ESU #2 until his retirement in 1999. Marty was very involved in the Fremont Community, serving as the President of the Midland alumni associations, member of the Fremont High, Bergan, and Midland Booster Clubs, as well as a long time member of Rotary in Fremont. He also served as a YMCA coach for many flag football, soccer, and basketball teams. One of his proudest accomplishments was that he was one of four co-founders of the Fremont Nighthawks baseball organization that is still in existence today.
He met Jacqueline Moore in July of 1969 and they immediately hit it off, so much so that he asked her to marry him by October, and they were married March 21st, 1970. They lived most of their 56 years of marriage together in Fremont. Here they had three sons - Marty, Jeff, and Kelley Michael who all grew up in Fremont and graduated from Fremont High. Over the last 26 years since Marty's retirement, he and Jacquie were blessed with 5 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. His biggest passion over the last 26 years has been attending all of their various activities including dance recitals, theater performances, and athletic events.
Marty was a wonderful husband and father, who was a friend to many in the Fremont community. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Jacquie, son Martin V and his wife Annie and two grandsons Martin VI and Calvin. Also survived by son Jeff and his wife Jennifer and grandsons Shea, Brady, and CJ, as well as son Mike and his wife Erin and two granddaughters Alaina and Kaylee. He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father Althea and Martin Koolen III, and his sister Christy Koolen. He is also survived by his brother Kent Koolen and sister Gretchen Wagner as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday May 29th at 11:00 am at Fremont Presbyterian Church with a lunch at the church to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Fremont Family YMCA to support youth programs and the member financial assistance program.
Ludvigsen Mortuary in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com