Martin Louis Fortkamp

Martin Louis Fortkamp

June 13, 1920 - Dec. 31, 2020

WAUNETA, Neb. — Martin Louis Fortkamp departed this life Dec. 31, 2020, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook at the age of 100.

Martin was born June 13, 1920, on the south divide in rural Chase County, Neb., to Henry C. and Sophia (Haarberg) Fortkamp in the family home.

Martin attended a rural school near the family farm and St. Paul Lutheran parochial school. Martin was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran church south of Wauneta.

On Feb. 14, 1951, he was united in marriage to Erma Donze in Wauneta. To this union two children were born, son, Duane and daughter, Gayla. They made their home on their farm in Hayes County until retirement in 1990 and moved to Wauneta. In 2011, Martin and Erma moved to Brookdale Senior Living Community in McCook. Martin moved to Hillcrest Nursing Home in 2017 and Erma joined Martin at Hillcrest Nursing Home in 2018.

During his life Martin worked tirelessly, first on his parent’s farm and then on his own farm. Martin loved music and played his harmonica to entertain family and friends. Martin played baseball and softball and earned the nickname of “Pepper Martin” for his great third base play. He loved pitching horseshoes with family and friends and entered horseshoe competitions where he won many trophies. He also enjoyed spending time with his family playing pitch and rummy card games.

Martin was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palisade until retirement and was then a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Henry C. and Sophia (Haarberg) Fortkamp; his wife, Erma ( Donze) Fortkamp; great-grandson, Wyatt Smidt; brothers and sisters-in-law, William Fortkamp and wife, Ada, John Fortkamp and wife, Anna, Fredrick Fortkamp and wife, Merle, Ervin Fortkamp and wife, Viola, Albert Fortkamp, Emil Fortkamp and wife, Opal, Arthur Fortkamp and wife, Nina, and Laverne Fortkamp; sisters and brothers-in-law, Hilda (Fortkamp) Roschewski and husband, William, Velma (Fortkamp) Doetker and husband, Albert, and Violet (Fortkamp) Long and husband, Wendell.

Martin is survived by his two children, son, Duane (Patricia) of McCook and daughter, Gayla (Steve) Swisher of McCook; four grandchildren, Michael (Jeanette) Fortkamp of Ponca City, Okla., Kathy (Kyle) Smidt of Kearney, Sarah (Brandi) Lister of Norwalk, Iowa and David Swisher of Gunnison, Colo.; six-great-grandchildren, Matthew Fortkamp, Morgan Fortkamp, Marcus Fortkamp, Kourtney Lovelady, Ashlyn Smidt and Emma Lister; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

There will be no visitation the day prior to the funeral service. Family requests masks be worn to the service and social distancing will be observed at the funeral service.

The funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, 10:30 a.m. MST, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta, officiated by Pastor Gary Fortkamp.

Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta.

Memorials have been suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta.

Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta entrusted with arrangements.