Michael Dustin Martin, known by most as “Mike” and “honey” by his wife and children, was born on August 27th, 1975. He was the youngest of Douglas and Susan Martin’s children. Mike grew up in North Platte, Nebraska, spending his youth establishing lifelong friendships through his love of sports and hunting. He graduated with honors from North Platte High School. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a double major in Economics and Finance, funding his education working part-time at Cabela’s.
Mike began his career with Peavey Grain in Kearney and then transferred to Conagra’s headquarters in Omaha. Using his sharp business acumen and a deep commitment to his work, he quickly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to manage an export elevator for Conagra in Huron, Ohio. In 2004, Mike transferred to Denver. For the next 19 years, he served as General Manager of Commerce City Grain, driving growth and innovation. Conagra, Cargill and CHS created a joint venture called Ardent Mills, where Mike continued in his role supporting the growth of the largest flour milling company in the United States. A skilled professional and true innovator, he was instrumental in the development of wheat varieties that revolutionized the flour milling industry. Beyond his professional achievements, he was known for his warmth, generosity, and the strong relationships he built with farmers, coworkers, and industry representatives, all of whom regarded him as a great teammate and a trusted friend.
In 2015, Mike met the love of his life, Milene. He wooed her with hiking fourteeners, sushi dates, professional sporting events, target shooting and Game of Thrones. He even convinced her to hunt with him once; only once. They married the following year, honeymooning in Italy. They were blessed with two children, Sofia and Yeager. As a toddler, Sofia adopted Milene’s term of affection and called Daddy “honey”. Mike said his family was the “best thing that ever happened in my life”. Mike and Milene’s home was a fusion of their cultures, filled with family, dogs, country and Latin music, dancing, picanha and arepas, surrounded by friends and so much love along with Mike’s never-ending quest to cook the best steak ever. Their family time was spent with daily walks along Sloan Lake. Bedtime was especially cherished with a tradition of Spanish and English stories. Family vacations centered around lakefronts and beaches, a natural fit for outdoor lovers.
Mike loved sports, especially the Huskers, watching games on Saturdays with friends and sometimes traveling to away games with high school buddies. He was an outdoor enthusiast, conquering 23 fourteeners, and fishing at Lake McConaughy but his passion was hunting waterfowl. He spent countless days afield, accompanied by his buddies and his beloved retrievers, along the rivers and fields of Nebraska and Colorado. Sometimes, it was hard to tell where his passion for hunting ended and his love of British Labrador Retrievers started. He deeply cared about improving the breed through involvement with Double TT British Labradors. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his field trial dogs, working with Apex Retrievers to train master hunting dogs. The aspect that truly made these pursuits most worthwhile was time spent with dear friends.
Mike passed away in his Denver home on November 4th, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Mike fought a 3-year battle against sarcoma cancer with the same grit and determination his family remembers seeing on the playing field since his youth - with strength, determination, and a relentless commitment to cherish his time with Milene, Sofia, and Yeager. Mike was deeply loved by his family and friends, who are grateful for the time they were fortunate enough to spend with him.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Milene, and his two children, Sofia and Yeager, their black labs, Tiller and Kenya. His parents, Douglas and Susan Martin of Lincoln, Nebraska. His brother, Matt Martin, wife, Michelle and their children Jocelyn, Ari and Eli of Lincoln, Nebraska. His sister, Jennifer Welch, husband Vincent and their children, Maisie and Owen of St Leonard, Maryland. And his mother-in-law, Pabla. He is preceded in death by brother Todd Martin, maternal grandparents, Walt and Betty Saunders, paternal grandparents, Jack and Jesse Martin, and many loved British labs.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 on the morning of November 21st, 2024 at the Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park, located at 26624 North Turkey Creek Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439 with reception to follow. Donations in Mike’s name can be made to The Sarcoma Foundation of America.