Nelda Martin

Nelda Cleone Tonniges Hove Martin was born on June 7, 1945 at 3:15 p.m. to Carl and Marjorie Tonniges, in a house in Crookston, Nebraska that was rebuilt from a barn by her dad.Nelda was the third child.The oldest child, her brother Dennis died when he was 9 months old.Her sister Minnie was 4 years older.Nelda lived on the farm amidst horses, cattle, crisp hay, gardens her grandpa planted, baby chickens and pigs.When she was two years old, she got her first dog a cocker spaniel she named Cookie.The family moved to Omaha, Nebraska when she was six years old.Nelda really missed being around the horses.Pets were her companions, as she did not have many toys.She played outside most of the time in her bare feet.She never wore shoes while playing.She met her long-time friend, Karen, who lived across the street.Nelda remembers garter belts and hoses, outhouses and Sear’s Catalogs. Nelda graduated from Benson High School in June 1963.On September 28, 1963, Nelda married Paul Hove.From this union came two children, Dawn Marjorie and Alan Carl. They had moved around from Lincoln, Nebraska to Rockford, Illinois, before moving back to Omaha, Nebraska where they bought a ranch style house on Martin Avenue and eventually moved to a two-story house on Whitmore Street.During these times Nelda worked at various jobs.She worked at the school cafeteria, worked at K-Mart, worked at Polsen Insurance agency, as well as helped Paul when he started his own agency.Nelda worked as a banquet waitress, managed a Goodrich Diary, like her mother, Marjorie did.Managed a truck stop, babysitting, to finally settling on working as the custodian in her church for over 20+ years.Nelda did many jobs and she did them well.Nelda and Paul divorced in the late 70’s.Nelda then moved her family to a spilt level house in the Keystone area, where she lived for over 30 years. While working at the truck stop, she met Durwood Martin.Woody worked in truck tires.He had three children of his own, Matthew, Shawndel and Shani. Nelda and Woody were married on July 30, 1983 in the backyard of her sister Minnie’s house.Nelda helped raise and care for Woody’s children as if they were her own.Nelda always said that you may not have grown under my heart, but you have grown in it.In November 2006, Woody passed away due to pancreatic cancer.This was hard for Nelda.But she had her children and grandchildren to keep her busy and happy.Nelda’s grandchildren and her great grandchildren are the light of her life.Nelda always carried gum and candy.This was especially handy during church.Nelda loved to play board games and card games with the children.She made sure that she had homemade cinnamon rolls and chocolate cookies to go around.Nelda loved to bake for her family. Nelda died on July 26, 2020 after being hospitalized with breathing issues and COPD.She was a fighter until the end.Nelda is now in heaven with the Lord and is surrounded by family and friends.Nelda is proceeded in death by her parents Carl and Marjorie Tonniges; husbands Paul Hove and Durwood Martin; brother Dennis Tonniges; sister Minnie Polsen; son Matthew Martin: grandson Joseph Casart; and great granddaughter Kaitlyn Hurlburt. Nelda is survived by Children: Dawn (Greg) Casart; Alan (Barb) Hove; Shawndel (Dave) Roberts; and Shani (Tom) Wiesen.Grandchildren: Michael (Christina) Hurlburt; Patrick (Kari) Martin; Sarah (Kody) Sprinkle; Benjamin Hurlburt; Codi (Daniele) Martin; Ethan Wiesen; Emily (Brody) Grantham; Dylan Wiesen; and Brandon Wiesen.Great-Grandchildren: Natalie Hurlburt; Payton Martin; Ra’el Hurlburt; Paul-Anthony Hurlburt, Charlee Martin, Jenson Sprinkle; and Paisley Martin.Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 from 5-7:00pm at River of Life Lutheran Church (5151 NW Radial HWY). Masks required at the Church Celebration of Nelda’s Life: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:00am at River of Life Lutheran Church Interment: Forest Lawn In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Church Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel) 1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE68114 402-391-2171