Martin was born on April 17, 1936, in Švėkšna, Lithuania, to Andrius and Auguste (Kleinas) Trautrimas. His first five years were spent on the family farm before they were forced to flee westward and spend the next ten years as displaced persons in war-torn Europe. When he was 15, his family came to the U.S. and lived on the Leonard Hoegemeyer farm in Scribner, Nebraska, where he attended high school before the family's move to Omaha. He graduated from Omaha South High School in 1953.
His lifelong commitment and service to education began with his graduation from the University of Omaha (now UNO) in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and Spanish with a minor in history and a secondary teaching certificate. His quest for knowledge continued with his earning a Master of Arts in Spanish Literature in 1963 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison; and a Ph.D. en Letras Castellanas in 1969 from the Universidad Jaime Balmes, Guadalajara, Mexico. Over the years, he received many grants and honors for further continuing his studies.
His professional career began with his teaching both German and Spanish in the Fremont Public Schools from 1958-1964 and then as a professor of languages and humanities at Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University) until his retirement in 2000. Even in "retirement" he continued to teach English as a Second Language in diverse settings in Fremont.
While expanding his knowledge of languages, in 1960 he met Patricia (Pat) Van Voorhis in a Russian class at the University of Omaha. They began their lifelong partnership with their marriage June 9, 1962. Their love produced their beloved children, son Marc David Trautrimas and daughter Michelle Marie Trautrimas Wood.
Part of his commitment to education was his desire to broaden the horizons of his students, not only by their gaining knowledge of another language, but also of other cultures, and how better than to experience the rest of the world first-hand. He and Pat led their first international study-tour in 1964, and over the years Martin sponsored more than 30 such study-tours to Europe, Mexico and Guatemala, the Holy Land, and Asia. He also helped to sponsor other international experiences through his work with Rotary International of which he was a member since 1982.
Central to Martin's life was his strong faith. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church since 1958 and also a member of the Executive Committee of the Lithuanian Lutheran Church in Exile. His talents enabled him to be a particularly productive participant in several missionary trips into Mexico. Studies at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and at Creighton University led to a Diploma in Ministry in 1987 from Creighton University, Omaha.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Olga (who died in infancy), Marta Sarka, and Ruta Kallio; and parents-in-law, Myron and Mildred Van Voorhis.
He is survived by his wife Pat; son Marc of Brooklyn, NY, and daughter Michelle (Phil) Wood of Omaha; sister Zelma Pliodzinskas of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren Madeline Wood and Ethan Wood of Omaha, and Zoë Morris of San Antonio, Texas; sisters-in-law Sharon (Turner) Morgan of Waldorf, Maryland, and Verna (Warren) Thompson of Akron, Iowa; brother-in-law Jonas Sarka of Omaha; and many beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends and family.
Memorials to the Trautrimas Endowed Travel Fund at Midland University in Fremont.
http://alumni.midlandu.edu/trautrimas-scholarship
Visitation will be Thursday from 3pm to 8pm with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont.
The funeral service will be 10:30am, Friday at First Lutheran Church in Fremont. Graveside services will be 2pm Friday at Graceland Park Cemetery in Omaha (42nd & L Streets).
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(13)
"CJ" Carolyn J. Stephens Snyder
Westminster, CO Saturday, January 27, 2018 Gutentag, Buenas Dias, and Bonjour to the Trautrimas family,I just heard the news about Dr. Trautrimas going to Heaven, and, while I am happy for him, I am so sad for Pat, Marc, and Michelle. He will be greatly missed.
Dr. T (and Pat) truly broadened my horizons when leading the January 1974 trip to France and Spain. My study abroad experience, provided by Rotary International, changed my life. I am truly grateful for the Trautrimas' devotion to travel and study abroad.
May God provide comfort and strength in this time of sorrow.
Hugs from Colorado,
"CJ"/Carolyn
Debbie Pedersen
Papillion, NE Friday, January 12, 2018 I was saddened to hear of Martin's death ;( I will send a card to the church. God be with each of you in your grief! Debbie (Bradley)PedersenDr. James G Munter
Sandy, UT Thursday, January 11, 2018 To all the Trautrimas family, our deepest sympathy. Martin touched the lives of many and his legacy will live in many places around the world. Blessed be his memory.Kay Vance Feaster
Manchester, MO Thursday, January 11, 2018 My sympathy to the family, I think of Martin often telling people he was the reason I got to go to The Holy Land on a wonderful trip. I worked at Midland in the Bookstore and had many great conversations with both Martin and Pat.Kay Vance Feaster
Debra Foster-Menking
Fremont, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Pat, I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. I know that Martin was the love of your life. The two of you made my college experience something to remember the rest of my life! Having had you both in class as well as sharing experiences of a trip throught Europe and around-the-world I can honestly say, "I will Never forget either of you. My life has been enriched because of you both."Connie Taylor
Omaha, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We so cherish the many good times we shared with Martin. All our love. Connie & Steve TaylorMike Reis
Fremont, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Marc and MichellePlease accept my Condolences
LeRoy & Janis Poppe
Scribner, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2018 To the family of Martin, He was a classmate of mine at Scribner High School for a couple years. Fred Gebhardt was also in the class and a neighbor to Martin. We were sad when Martin moved. We did renew acqaintance with him when our son David Poppe and his wife Becky were students at Midland. We are very sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you all.Jim Chrisman
, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2018 So very sorry to hear of your loss, Pat. Jim Chrisman - Midland college student of yours.Carol Stoltenberg
Omaha, NE Tuesday, January 9, 2018 My teacher, mentor, and friend who inspired me in my love of German and travel, Martin will be missed. My prayers are with Pat and the family.barb feezell
Lawrence, KS Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Pat,Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Barb and Randy Feezell
Gregg Kupfer
Omaha, NE Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Was a colleague of Martin's and Pat's at Midland. Pat was also my sophomore English professor during my under graduate studies. This is a very sad day. Martin was several light years past unique. I always tried to find time to listen to his stories. He and Pat are very close, dear friends. We will meet again, my friend and we will talk and laugh as we always did. Count on it. Much love-Gregg KupferProfessor Fred and Paula Wigington
Schuyelr, NE Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Pat and family,Paula and I are so sad to hear the news. Our prayers are with you at this time.