Memorial services for Robert C. “Bob” Nelson will be conducted from the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Kenton Birtell and Pastor Jack Heck officiating. Private family Inurnment will be in the Williamsburg Cemetery south of Elm Creek, Nebraska.

Robert Carl “Bob” Nelson, 78 years of age, of Kearney, Nebraska (formerly of Elm Creek), passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born February 22, 1934 at Holdrege, the eldest of three children born to Carl Nathaniel and Lois Armetta (Pinnell) Nelson. He was baptized as a young boy at the Williamsburg Methodist Church, south of Elm Creek and was confirmed on May 17, 1959 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amherst. He received his primary education from Phelps County District R-3 and then graduated from the Elm Creek High School with the class of 1951.

Following his education, Bob served his country in the United States Army from March 24, 1955 until his honorable discharge of March 22, 1957.

Bob was united in marriage to Helen L. Siebke on September 28, 1958 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Amherst, Nebraska and to this union three children were born: Dale, Cindy, and Keith. The family made their home on a farm in northern Phelps County, south of Elm Creek, where Bob engaged in his life-long love of farming.

Bob enjoyed bowling, reading, woodworking, dancing and loved attending his grandchildren’s activities.

Bob was a member and past president and board member of the Phelps County Farm Bureau and was a 4-H leader. He was an active member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, where he served as usher and secretary.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by one son, Dale Nelson; one brother-in-law, Bill Siebke and sister-in-law, Lorraine Hadwiger.

Bob leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Helen of 53 years; daughter, Cindy Habe and her husband, Larry of Ravenna, Nebraska; son, Keith Nelson and his wife, Denise of Elm Creek; four grandchildren: Danielle Limbach and her husband, Chad, Amanda Lindenstein and her husband, Gary, James Habe and Candace Nelson; one great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Limbach; two sisters: JoAnne Siebke of Evansville, Wyoming, Marilyn Ronsick and her husband, Bert of Tuscon, Arizona; sister-in-law, Evelyn Jones of Amherst; brothers-in-law: Bob Siebke and his wife, Alberta of Litchfield, Nebraska and Ken Hadwiger and his wife, Jerri of Kearney; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in his memory and kindly suggested to Kearney Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church or the Williamsburg Methodist Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.