Martin Fredrick Ford

Memorial Services for Martin F. "Marty" Ford will be conducted from the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Virginia Fleharty, officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Martin "Marty" Fredrick Ford, 82 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, (formerly of Atlanta, Nebraska) passed away on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at the Bertrand Nursing Home. Marty was born September 27, 1929 at Almena, Kansas, the youngest of two children born to Martin and Marie (Bowker) Ford. Marty received his education from Mascot, Nebraska, graduating from Mascot High School with the class of 1946.

On May 30, 1949 he was united in marriage to Willie Roseland "Billie" McCain at Phillipsburg, Kansas and to this union three children were born: Martin Fredrick, Dwight Warren and Jeannette Claire. The family made their home in Atlanta, and later moved to Morrison, Colorado. In the mid 1960's, the family returned home to Nebraska and resided at Oxford, Nebraska where Marty and Billie owned and operated a Gambles Store for several years. After the business suffered a fire, they returned to Colorado until 1978. In 1978, they purchased acreage southwest of Atlanta. Besides raising animals on the farm, Marty was also employed at McClymont's John Deere Implement Dealership as a truck driver until his retirement in 1994. On October 4, 2007 he was preceded in death by his wife, Billie.

Marty loved spending time with his family, and had a special place in his heart for animals. His passion was raising Llamas. He also enjoyed gardening and years ago built a greenhouse on the farm to raise tomatoes.

Besides his parents and his wife, Marty was preceded in death by his daughter, Jeannette Morrow; and a sister, Evelyn Dodson.

He leaves to mourn his passing his two sons: Fred Ford and his wife, Stella of Jacksonville, Florida and Dwight Ford and his wife, Jeanne of Arapahoe, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation; the family is honoring his wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.