John "Jack"

M. Todd

Brunswick — John "Jack" Marvin Todd, 88, of Brunswick, died Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Avera Creighton Care Centre in Creighton.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2023 at St. Ludger's Catholic Church in Creighton with a 7 p.m. wake service.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at the church in Creighton. Rev. Jeremy Hans will officiate.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2023 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Plattsmouth.

Memorials may be made to the Jack and Mary Jo Todd Scholorship Fund that benefits youth pursuing agriculture as a profession and way of life. Send to Jack and Mary Jo Todd Scholarship Fund, c/o Brunswick State Bank, 226 2nd St. Brunswick, NE 68720.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton is in charge of the arrangements.

John was born Oct. 17, 1934, to Lauren “Ike” and Pauline (Gradoville) Todd, at home on their family farm in Murray. Jack was the oldest of four children. He attended Buck school, a one-room country school from first to eighth grade. The school had no electricity or running water and was heated with a wood burning stove. Students carried water from a nearby farm. Jack graduated from Plattsmouth High School in 1952. He loved sports, especially football, and even though he weighed only 135 pounds he was the team's captain his junior and senior year. His teammates referred to him as ‘Fireball' and in critical situations the coach would often ask: “Well what does ‘Fireball' think we should do?” 

It was during high school that he met his future bride Mary Jo Ann.

Following high school, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and pledged Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry in 1956. 

On Aug. 27, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart Mary Jo Ann (Lohnes) Todd and they were married 56 years. Originally they lived on the family farm in Murray until 1964. Then in '64 they loaded three boys, one girl, family dog and sundry belongings into the back of an International truck and headed north to Brunswick, in Antelope county. Soon two more daughters were born. They raised six children Lee, James, Gregory, Lynne, Ann and Erin.  

The farm prospered and Jack started his own cattle operation, “Mr. and Mrs. Jack Todd & Sons,” which they later changed to “Landmark Farms” as their daughters were born. At the time,Jack noted he had more “kids than cows.” Eventually when he had hundreds of cows, he could identify each from ¼ - ½ mile away, according to amazed eyewitnesses.

Jack was a cattleman and his love of raising purebred Angus cattle never waned. Throughout his youth Jack was a 4-H member and participated in the Cass County Fair, Aksarben and the Denver Stock show. Jack cared deeply about the 4-H program, and he continued his involvement as a 4-H leader and the Antelope County Fair Livestock Superintendent for 47 years. 

He was a respected and admired cattleman. His advice was highly sought, and he took great pride and joy in hosting the annual Todd Landmark Farms Angus Bull Sale. Ranchers and cattle producers from Nebraska and the surrounding states attended. Even buyers from as far as Mexico were among the bidders. 

As Jack approached his 80th birthday, he handed the reins over to his son Greg and Janet Todd, to continue the operation and the tradition. 

Jack was a member of the Nebraska Angus Association for 63 years. He was recognized for more than 50 years of service as a cattleman. His love of raising cattle never waned, and he liked nothing more than a Sunday afternoon drive to look at cows (much to the chagrin and consternation of his wife Mary Jo).

Jack was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Brunswick and later St. Ludger Catholic Church in Creighton.  He was an usher at Mass and his faith was of great importance to him.  

Jack was known for the deep and lasting connections he made with virtually everyone who crossed his path. His passing leaves a huge void in the lives of his family who will miss his dry sense of humor and his constant, steadfast and wise counsel he was able to offer on any possible situation. He was always willing to help anyone in times of need, to which his many friends will readily attest.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave him great joy and they all agree he was the best grandfather one could wish for, and he was even “best man” at his grandson Mitch's (Kristina) wedding.  

Jack is survived by his much-loved younger sister Elizabeth “Betty” (Todd) Wood of Brentwood, CA; his six children Lee (Valentina) Todd of Lincoln, James (Virginia) Todd of Doylestown, PA, Greg (Janet) Todd of Brunswick, Lynne (Kevin) Dorsey of Rolling Hills, CA, Ann Todd-Cooper of Lawrence, KS and Erin (Jeff) Zeller of Kenosha, WI; 18 grandchildren Alex Todd, Katerina and Caleb Todd, Lindsey (Patrick) Donnelly, Jessie (Kim) Todd, Antonio Todd, Brandon (Nicole) Todd, Mitchell (Kristina) Todd, Brieanne (James) Davenport, Cheyenne Todd, Jonathan “Jack” Dorsey, James and Giana Cooper, George, Megan, Audrey, Kate and Nathan Zeller; eight great-grandchildren Alexis and Jonathan Todd, Alice and Margaret Todd, Rory and Griffin Todd and Gunner and Skye Davenport; and his extended family that include Jenny Todd and Jessica Tok, Yoko Brunell, the Tom Nguyen family and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Jo Ann Todd; his two brothers Robert and Lauren Todd; his parents Lauren “Ike” and Pauline Todd; one granddaughter Paulina Cooper; and one great-granddaughter Helen Todd.

The family wishes to thank all those that cared for Jack in his final years including Fr. Hans of St. Ludger Church for his prayers and blessings, Dr. Adam Strehle, for his compassion and excellent medical care, and to all the nurses, aides and staff at Avera Care Centre. The family also wishes to thank two special individuals Tony Wewel and Linda Jelinek. Tony for his enduring friendship and his visits with Jack at Avera Care Centre and taking him to church, football games, lunch and drives in the countryside. Last and not least Linda Jelinek, who could brighten Jack's day simply by walking into the room. We are grateful for her unwavering love, support and care of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather and for always, “keeping an eye on him” while he remained at home in Brunswick and at Avera Care Centre.