Jesse Lee Martin

Jesse Lee Martin, 80, of Sutherland, Nebraska, passed away on November 14, 2025, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Jesse was born on February 23, 1945, to Hazel and Dixie Lee Martin in Omaha. His early childhood was spent in Imperial. After his father passed away in a car accident, his mother remarried Fred Wagner, and they had three more sons: Floyd, Lynn, and James Wagner. The family lived on a farm near Imperial, and Jesse attended a one-room country school before going on to Imperial Grade School and later Chase County High School. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial.

Jesse loved his country and enlisted in the Army at 17. He served for three years, spending much of that time in Germany, before his honorable discharge in 1965.

After returning to Imperial, he married Linda Sue Surber on June 26, 1965, at the Methodist Church in Imperial. Jesse took a job with Northern Natural Gas while attending junior college in Garden City, Kansas, earning his associate's degree. The couple then moved to Greeley, Colorado, where he attended the University of Northern Colorado, before moving to Security, Colorado, where he again worked for Northern Natural Gas.

The couple returned to Imperial in the mid-1970s. Jesse obtained state licensure in both electrical and plumbing and opened his own small business, Martin Plumbing and Electric. In 1979, the family moved to Sutherland, where Jesse lived until his death.

After moving to Sutherland, he began his career as an electrician at the Nebraska Public Power District’s Gerald Gentleman Station in Sutherland, where he worked until his retirement. His work as an electrician ended in 2002 after he suffered a disabling stroke.

Jesse was known as an avid runner. He ran daily and participated in several road races, including 5Ks, 10Ks, triathlons, and marathons. The family’s vacation plans often revolved around his race locations. The highlight of his running career occurred when he qualified for the Boston Marathon in Rapid City, South Dakota, where the family celebrated by visiting Mount Rushmore. Jesse also enjoyed martial arts and obtained his first-degree black belt in To-Shin Do in 2001. He volunteered his time teaching classes at Inner Power Martial Arts.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Aaron (Carolee) Martin of Sutherland, Matthew (Alicia) Martin of The Woodlands, Texas, Darcey (Jared) Kramer of Saint Paul, Nebraska, Erik Martin of North Platte, and Thomas (Jill) Martin of Seward; grandchildren, Ashley (Zachary) Cook, Emily Martin, Jeremy Martin, Amelia Martin, Mattison Martin, Alexis Kramer, Samuel Kramer, Jackson Kramer, Matthew Kramer, McKenzie Martin, Zoey Martin, and Cora Martin; great-grandchildren, Alauna, Arlo, Xavier, Xenifer, Xihanna, and Xylii; and brother, Floyd Wagner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dixie Martin and Hazel Wagner; stepfather, Fred Wagner; and brothers, Lynn and Jim Wagner.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on November 25 at Odean Colonial Chapel, 302 South Sycamore, North Platte, with a lunch to follow at First Presbyterian Church, 1901 W. Leota Street, North Platte, NE 69101.

Memorial donations will be used to support local scholarships and a scholarship to Inner Power Martial Arts.