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
Condolences(12)
Matt Kitashima
Centennial, CO Thursday, May 28, 2026 Your Dad was genuinely a kind person! Always smiling and interested in others. He was so easy to talk to and really made an effort which shows how much he cared. I may have only talked with him a handful of times, but they are interactions that still are with me as a heartwarming and positive moment. I have a wonderful image in my mind of our Dad's talking after our baseball games. I am sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Much strength.Reesa Eisler
Lincoln, NE Thursday, May 28, 2026 I worked with Marty back in the early 1980s and always enjoyed his kindness, his cheery disposition, and his work ethic. My condolences to his family, but am thankful for the opportunity to have known him and be a fellow worker at the Fremont ESU.Dawn Jackson
Lincoln, NE Thursday, May 28, 2026 I am so sorry to hear of Marty's passing. I was so happy when he sang in choir at the Fremont Presbyterian church. He had a great voice and "carried" the bass section! I enjoyed many visits with him at church and you could tell he took an interest in everyone. My sympathies to the Koolen family.Janice Ball
Kissee Mills, MO Thursday, May 28, 2026 Jacquie- So sorry to hear about Marty. In the years that you and I worked together, I always admired Marty for being a kind, thoughtful, friendly person.Sending prayers to you and your family.
Rick Russell
Omaha, NE Wednesday, May 27, 2026 When Marty was teaching at Millard I was fortunate to get to know him. I was on the basketball team and all of my high school colleagues thought the world of Marty. Although he wasn't at Millard long he made a great impact on those students who knew him or had him as their teacher. We missed him when he left Millard and we will all miss the contributions that he made to those in this state that knew him.My sincere condolences to the family.
Paul Parkert
Fremont, NE Wednesday, May 27, 2026 So sorry for your family’s loss.I would always love it when Marty came wondering into my office with his coffee just wanting to talk.
Also the memories of getting together after ballgames to enjoy everyone’s stories.
Marty was a friend that I respected.
You have our sincere sympathy.
Tim Howard
Fremont, NE Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Jacqie & Mike - so sorry to hear of Marty's passing. I always enjoyed talking with him when Mike was in school - such a nice guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. May God comfort you and your families.Phil Miller
Lake Havasu City, AZ Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Sad news to hear of Marty's passing. As youngsters, he lived in the neighborhood, was a friend plus he had the uncanny ability, when playing basketball, to jump and hang up in the air like he had wings. We were in the same Junior and senior high school classes but went to different colleges. Whenever we played baseball at Midland or he played basketball at Wesleyan, we would always exchange greetings. RIP my friend.Subrahmanian family
Eden Prairie, MN Monday, May 25, 2026 Marty, Annie, Jackie, Sixer, and Cal - we are so sad to hear the news of Martin’s passing. Really loved getting to know him. He was such a sweet and kind person. Always had a smile. He will be missed greatly. Love and hugs from the Subrahmanian Vijayakumar family.DEAN OLSON
Omaha, NE Monday, May 25, 2026 In September 1958 I entered Midland College as a freshman. Marty Koolen was then an upperclassman, but more than that, he was someone that we aspired to emulate. That has never changed. Even now, at age 85, I think he is someone to be looked up to and respected. Sadly, Sandy and I will be at a family reunion in Branson on May 29. I will be thinking of Marty on Friday and wishing that I could be there to pay my respects.
David Harms
Fremont, NE Monday, May 25, 2026 So sorry to hear about Marty. He was a great neighbor and will be missed.don dickmeyer
Omaha, NE Monday, May 25, 2026 Jacqie, So sorry to read that Marty has passed. I first met Marty at Midland. I watched him play B ball many times. Later in life he became the head man at the ESU Three, when my cleaning service was the Janitorial Service there.