Cheryl J. Nelsen

A funeral service for Cheryl J. Nelsen will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska, with Mr. Bill Ford officiating.

Interment will be held at the Oconto Cemetery in Oconto, Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Cheryl Joyce Nelsen, 71 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on January 26, 2026, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska. Cheryl was born in Oxford, Nebraska on August 21, 1954, the fourth of five children, born to Elmer and Lucille (Hemje) Wilken. She received her education in Arapahoe, Nebraska, and graduated from Arapahoe High School with the class of 1972. She pursued higher education and received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Kearney State and a Master's Degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Following her education, Cheryl started working at the Bertrand Public School and taught there for 36 years. After she retired, she substitute taught for several more years.

On October 29, 1983, Cheryl was united in marriage to Terry Nelsen at Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, and to this union, two children were born: Chris and Cory. The family made their home near Loomis, and the family later moved to Bertrand.

Cheryl enjoyed tending to her flowers and indoor plants. She watched a few professional sports teams, but especially followed all Nebraska athletics. Cheryl doted over her grandson, Morgan and loved her cat Smokey. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2021; her brother, Mike Wilken; one brother-in-law, Mel Deselms; and one sister-in-law, Bev Wilken.

Cheryl is survived by her two sons: Chris Nelsen and his wife, Julie of Kearney; and Cory Nelsen of Bismarck, North Dakota; one grandson, Morgan Thyne; brothers: Jim Wilken and his wife, Dorothy of Edenburg, Texas; Dennis Wilken of Norton, Kansas; one sister, Diane Deselms of Cambridge, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Roslyn Wilken of Enid, Oklahoma; Sharon Stahlecker and her husband, Randy of Alma, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law: Wayne Nelsen and his wife, Bev of Omaha, Nebraska; Gary Nelsen and his wife, Deb of Marysville, Kansas; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Cheryl's honor and kindly suggested to Hope Lutheran Church of rural Smithfield, the Bertrand Community School Foundation, and the Bertrand Volunteer Rescue Unit.

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.