Howard P. Nelson

A funeral service for Howard P. Nelson will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Westmark Evangelical Free Church, rural Loomis, Nebraska, with Pastor Noah Tyler officiating.

Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Sandstrom Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Bertrand Veteran's Organization in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

Howard Palmer Nelson, 94 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Howard was born northeast of Bertrand, in Phelps County on March 30, 1930, the third of five children, born to Fred J. and Helen L. (Nelson) Nelson. Howard attended Star School District #21 Country School in Phelps County and then attended and graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1947. Howard then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and attained a Bachelor's Degree in Technical Science from the College of Agriculture in 1954. He was active with the Alpha Zeta Honorary Agriculture Fraternity during his college years.

While in college, Howard participated four years in the ROTC enlistment program. Following his graduation, he immediately entered active duty as a Commissioned Officer. He was stationed at Camp Carson, Colorado, Camp Hale, Colorado, and Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Howard returned to Phelps County and began farming and ranching. On June 20, 1959, Howard was united in marriage to Lila LaVonne Blythe at the Sumner Evangelical Free Church. The couple made their home Northeast of Bertrand, where Howard continued to farm and ranch. They were blessed with two children:  Mark and Mavis.

He enjoyed hauling water for the cows, recordkeeping, and sharing his knowledge of the community's history. He also enjoyed attending church events and spending time with his family, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Throughout his farming career, Howard served on several boards of Farmer Cooperatives and also on the Christian Homes board. He was a faithful Westmark Evangelical Free Church member, where he served as a past board member, and taught Sunday school for many years.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Lila in 2003; his parents, Fred and Helen Nelson; two brothers, LeRoy Nelson and Willard Nelson and wife Barbara; sister, Helen Carlson and husband, Bill; sister-in-law, Shirley Scoville and husband, Dean; brother-in-law, Clifford Blythe and wife, Gwen; and son-in-law, Jason Wheeler.

His survivors are his children, Mark Nelson and wife, Jodi of Bertrand; daughter, Mavis Barkley and husband, Troy of Littleton, Colorado; brother, Raymond Nelson and wife, Ruth of Holdrege; brother-in-law, Kerry Blythe and wife, Marlene of Overton, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Judy Ikard and husband, John of Glendale, Arizona; grandson, Jake Nelson and wife, Joslyn and their children: Hakon, Rorik, Malia, and Merik all of Bertrand; grandson, Tanner Nelson and wife, Shelby of Bertrand; and granddaughter, Karli Johnson and husband, Carter and their children: Brodie and Lila of Lincoln, Nebraska; and an honorary daughter, Kristi Burford and husband, Joe of Brady, Nebraska; and a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Howard's honor and kindly suggested to the Mission Outreach of Westmark Evangelical Free Church or Christian Homes Care Community.

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.