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Ogden L. 'Yogi' Martin Jr., age 80, of Fremont
Died Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont.
He was born on October 16, 1945, in Fremont, where he lived his entire life. A proud graduate of Fremont Public Schools, Yogi went on to earn his degree in Education from Midland Lutheran College and later received his master’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Yogi had a gift for teaching, creating, and helping others. He began his career teaching 6th grade for Valley Public Schools, where he would spend 30 years inspiring students. He was known as the teacher who made science exciting — especially through his memorable experiments. During his years at Valley, he met his wife, Candace “Candy†Martin, and they were married in 1973. After retiring, he continued doing upholstery work and helping friends, but his love for teaching eventually brought him back to the classroom. He later taught middle school science for another 10 years with Fremont Public Schools.
Scouting was one of Yogi’s greatest lifelong commitments. He recently received his 70-year service pin from the Boy Scouts of America, a reflection of his decades of dedication. Over the years, he helped scouts earn hundreds — if not thousands — of merit badges and supported many young men as they worked toward earning their Eagle Scout Award.
Yogi was a master craftsman in upholstery, a skill he learned as a teenager from his father. If something had fabric, he could replace it; if something needed fabric, he could add it. His talent, patience, and attention to detail were evident in everything he created.
Basketball was also an important part of Yogi’s life. When he wasn’t teaching, he could often be found in a gym coaching. He coached at Valley for many years, later coached his daughter’s select team, and also coached a boys’ select team.
Yogi took great pride in his lawn and flower gardens, and he treasured time spent with family and friends. He especially loved watching his grandsons, Taigan Kloster and Braydan Kloster, participate in their activities through the years.
He is survived by his wife, Candace Martin; his children, Shane Martin and his wife Jill Martin of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Shelly Kloster and her husband TJ Kloster of Bennington, Nebraska; and further survived by son James Martin of Louisiana. He is cherished by his grandsons, Taigan Kloster and Braydan Kloster.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Qwendolyn W M Betkie and Ogden Lee Martin, Sr.; and his siblings, John Martin, Robert “Buzz†Martin, Paul Martin, and Kay Nicholaison.
Yogi will be remembered for his dedication to education, his craftsmanship, his years of coaching, his extraordinary service to scouting, and the love he shared with his family, friends, students, and community.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church gymnasium from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. The family will hold a private interment at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Boy Scouts Troop #109 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Fremont. The Venmo link is https://venmo.com/u/Trinity-Troop. Or donations can be dropped off at Trinity Lutheran Church (Troop 109 – Yogi Martin Memorial). Through this support, Yogi’s commitment to mentoring young people and building future leaders will continue for generations to come.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Died Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont.
He was born on October 16, 1945, in Fremont, where he lived his entire life. A proud graduate of Fremont Public Schools, Yogi went on to earn his degree in Education from Midland Lutheran College and later received his master’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Yogi had a gift for teaching, creating, and helping others. He began his career teaching 6th grade for Valley Public Schools, where he would spend 30 years inspiring students. He was known as the teacher who made science exciting — especially through his memorable experiments. During his years at Valley, he met his wife, Candace “Candy†Martin, and they were married in 1973. After retiring, he continued doing upholstery work and helping friends, but his love for teaching eventually brought him back to the classroom. He later taught middle school science for another 10 years with Fremont Public Schools.
Scouting was one of Yogi’s greatest lifelong commitments. He recently received his 70-year service pin from the Boy Scouts of America, a reflection of his decades of dedication. Over the years, he helped scouts earn hundreds — if not thousands — of merit badges and supported many young men as they worked toward earning their Eagle Scout Award.
Yogi was a master craftsman in upholstery, a skill he learned as a teenager from his father. If something had fabric, he could replace it; if something needed fabric, he could add it. His talent, patience, and attention to detail were evident in everything he created.
Basketball was also an important part of Yogi’s life. When he wasn’t teaching, he could often be found in a gym coaching. He coached at Valley for many years, later coached his daughter’s select team, and also coached a boys’ select team.
Yogi took great pride in his lawn and flower gardens, and he treasured time spent with family and friends. He especially loved watching his grandsons, Taigan Kloster and Braydan Kloster, participate in their activities through the years.
He is survived by his wife, Candace Martin; his children, Shane Martin and his wife Jill Martin of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Shelly Kloster and her husband TJ Kloster of Bennington, Nebraska; and further survived by son James Martin of Louisiana. He is cherished by his grandsons, Taigan Kloster and Braydan Kloster.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Qwendolyn W M Betkie and Ogden Lee Martin, Sr.; and his siblings, John Martin, Robert “Buzz†Martin, Paul Martin, and Kay Nicholaison.
Yogi will be remembered for his dedication to education, his craftsmanship, his years of coaching, his extraordinary service to scouting, and the love he shared with his family, friends, students, and community.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church gymnasium from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. The family will hold a private interment at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Boy Scouts Troop #109 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Fremont. The Venmo link is https://venmo.com/u/Trinity-Troop. Or donations can be dropped off at Trinity Lutheran Church (Troop 109 – Yogi Martin Memorial). Through this support, Yogi’s commitment to mentoring young people and building future leaders will continue for generations to come.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com