Our Story

Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes, Inc.

In 1908, Carl S. Nelson arrived in Holdrege, Nebraska on his way to Seattle, Washington. He came to town on a Saturday evening and had a lay-over until the next train departed for the west. Mr. Nelson stopped in front of the A.S. Roach furniture store and engaged the proprietor in a conversation. He told Mr. Roach that he had worked for a furniture store and funeral home in Osceola, Nebraska and that he planned to remain in the same work when he arrived on the West Coast. Mr. Roach offered to sell a part interest in the business, and the firm of Roach and Nelson was established. When Carl Nelson became a partner in the store in 1908, it was located at 317 West Ave. In 1910, the firm moved into the new Masonic Temple Building at 413 West Ave. F.D. Swanson became a partner for several years after the move, and in 1920, Mr. Nelson became the sole proprietor.

Second generation, Clarence S. Nelson entered the firm in 1931. The Store was operated at the West Avenue location until 1951, when the Nelson Furniture Annex was opened at 409 East Ave. Clarke S. Nelson, the third generation, entered the business in 1964 and in 1965, the Decorating Shop was purchased from Mrs. Mabelle Perry. Until 1931, the undertaking business was operated from the same building as the furniture store. In that year, C.S. Nelson Funeral Home was established at 621 East Ave.

In 1963, Keith B. Nelson assumed management of the funeral home and in 1966 purchased the Harris Funeral Home at Fourth and Burlington Streets and the firm became known as the Nelson-Harris Funeral Home. Following the retirement of Keith B. Nelson, Ryan and Jody Bauer continued the family owned and operated tradition. Our staff continues to extend the same unsurpassed service to your family that you have grown accustomed to. Ryan and Jody renamed the funeral home in Holdrege to reflect the new ownership as well as holding on to the long community tradition of the Bauer's predecessors. In October of 2020, the Bauer's transferred ownership of the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes and their interest in the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Homes to long-time employee, Seth Mach and his wife, Hana. The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home will continue to offer the very best care for your loved one and all the guidance and support you need during the most difficult time of your life. Their mission is to focus on each family's uniqueness and care for every family as if it were their own.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes, Inc., which operates the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford, and the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Homes in Alma and Wilcox is a viable funeral service company with an excellent reputation established by the founders of the four facilities. Our firm in Holdrege was founded in 1909 by C.S. Nelson, the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand was established by Andrew J. Sandstrom family in 1892. George and Ray Mitchell families owned and operated the funeral homes in Oxford and Orleans since before WWII.

For three generations in Holdrege, and since our taking ownership of the other organizations, we have always dedicated ourselves to high ethical standards of serving our communities with funeral service. We have also served our communities through our church memberships as well as memberships in various community organizations and always tried to meet the needs of those we serve and return to the community our labors and support for the privilege of serving the people. I think all associated with us feel we have been successful with that philosophy. Our staff is dedicated to providing dignified and professional service.

Thank you for your trust and confidence your family has placed with us.