Marty Lee Shepard, age 60, of Blair, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. He was driving home from a family picnic with his wife when he died suddenly from a heart attack.
Marty was born at a midwife’s house in Pisgah, Iowa, on April 29, 1962. He was raised by his grandparents Dwayne Wilbur and Violet Gwendolyn (Bell) Shepard on a farm near Magnolia, Iowa. He graduated from Logan-Magnolia High School in 1981. After high school, he spent several years working as a carpenter and roofer. His son Patrick Narin was born in 1982.
Marty married Polly Anna Barker on Jan. 16, 1987; their marriage produced two children: Teri Ann in 1986 and Cari Lyn in 1987. In 1992, Marty bought his first dump truck and started his own business, Shepard Enterprises, which he owned and operated for thirty years.
Marty was committed to living life to the fullest. He often traveled as a professional shuffleboard player. He loved fishing with friends and family in Niobrara, riding his motorcycle through the countryside, and visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota. Most of all, he loved sharing his passion for life with his family.
Marty was a pillar of the community. He served as a city councilman for Ward 4 of Blair, Nebraska for nearly 20 years. He sponsored youth sports and Halloween at the Fire Department annually. Marty supported Pheasants Forever, Cattleman’s, ABATE, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts with generous donations.
Marty was preceded in death by his parents Dwayne and Violet Shepard, siblings Dallas Shepard and Lois Hall.
Marty is survived by his wife of 35 years Polly of Blair; son Patrick and wife Regina of Omaha, daughter Teri and wife Angela of Blair, daughter Cari and husband Michael of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren Chaeli, Sofia, Lilian, Edynn, Dexter, Emily, Xander, and Abigail; siblings Lillian, Lorene, Elwin, Erwin, Lloyd, and Leo; biological father Stuart; half-sisters Kathy, Teresa, and Wende; dozens of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Visitation will be at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair, on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral will be at Marty’s Shop (660 Grant Street) in Blair, on Monday, Sept. 12 starting at 10:30 a.m. with interment at the Blair Cemetery. Services Monday will be live-streamed.
In lieu of flowers, the family hopes you will make a donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Marty’s honor.
