Teresa A. Martin, 66

After a long and courageous bat t l e wi th cancer, Teresa “Terri” Ann Martin passed away peacefully at CHI Good Samaritan in Kearney, surrounded by friends and family on October 5, 2023. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14, 2023, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with Fr. Neal Nollette as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mitchell City Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by viewing Terri’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome. com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.

Terri was born December 11, 1956, in Lincoln. At birth, she was adopted into the family of Harry Dee and Helen Anne Simianer. They lived in Arnold, until 1968 when they moved to Mitchell. Terri attended the historical Sunflower Public Schools from 6th grade until she graduated in 1975. During her high school tenure, she excelled at volleyball and track - the only sports offered to girls at Sunflower during this time. Outside of school, she was involved in rodeo and spent many summers traveling to compete and spending time at her aunt and uncle’s ranch in Brownlee.

After graduating high school, she began working in the banking field. Soon after, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Chadron State College. She left the banking field for a career that allowed her to combine her love of numbers and her passion for helping others. As a math teacher at Scottsbluff Public Schools, she excelled in the curriculum and found lasting friendships with many past colleagues and students. Pie Day, March 14, was her favorite educational holiday. For many years, she bought pies for her students to celebrate 3.14. This was just one of the many ways she brought fun to the classroom and helped teach the next generation of students. Ironically, her daughter’s birthday was also March 14. After many years of teaching in the classroom, Terri became the Curriculum Director for Gering Public Schools. She served on several boards and committees within the Nebraska Department of Education and became a curriculum expert for many. Terri was honored by her peers with the Al Kilgore Award of Excellence in Recognition of Outstanding Leadership in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. In 2020, she retired and moved to Kearney, to be closer to friends and family.

She deeply loved her grandkids and wanted nothing more than to share in their special moments and create lasting memories through endless games, golfing excursions, and the annual cabin trip to South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Anne Simianer. She is survived by her children, Justin (Skiy) Martin of Laramie, WY; Julie (Jason) Calahan of Kearney; brother, John (Maria) Simianer of Windsor, CO: grandchildren, Brycen and Brynlee Martin of Laramie, WY; and Caden and Conner Calahan of Kearney. She was given the gift of life by her kidney sister, Laurie Budd of Eaton, CO.