John G. Nelson

A Memorial Mass for John G. Nelson will be conducted from the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Thomas Lux, officiating. Family inurnment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska prior to the Memorial Mass with Military Honors provided by the Loomis Veterans Organization in conjunction with the United States Army National Guard Honors Team.

John Gustaf Nelson, 85 years of age, of rural Loomis, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. John was born on July 29, 1924 on the family farm one mile north of Moses Hill in Phelps County, the second of four children born to John T. and Florence (Anderson) Nelson. He received his primary education at the Christian Homes Grade School at Holdrege and then graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1942. He then pursued higher education at Kearney State College, where he studied business before entering the service.

On April 16, 1943 he was inducted into the United States Army, serving his country during WW II in Central Europe in the Rhineland and Ardennes Campaigns. On January 17, 1946 he was Honorably Discharged from the Army and returned home to Phelps County. He was awarded three bronze stars and the good conduct medal for his efforts.

On November 25, 1953, he was united in marriage to Elenore V. Voichahoske and to this union five children were born: John, James, Mark, Daniel and Angela. The family made their home on the family farm northeast of Loomis, where John engaged in farming. Later in years, he was employed by Cole Carlson Well Drilling and prior to his retirement at Becton-Dickinson for fourteen years. On July 28, 2009 he was preceded in death by his wife, Elenore.

He was a past Cub Scout Master and a member of the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege. John's life was centered around his farm, family and friends. He enjoyed throughout the years getting together with many friends at the Christian Children's Home reunions. Most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He leaves to mourn his passing his four children: John Paul Nelson of Phoenix, Arizona, Jim Nelson and his wife, Julie of rural Loomis, Mark Nelson and his wife, Ann of Omaha, Nebraska and Angela Wade of Phoenix; six grandchildren: Jodi Booe and her husband, Ross of Loomis, Jeffrey Nelson of Loomis, Jacquelyn Johnson and her husband, Justin of Holdrege, Stephanie Jacobson and her husband, Gary of Kearney, Nebraska, Jason Nelson and his wife, Farren of Loomis and Jordan Nelson of Omaha; seven great-grandchildren: Paige, Ashlea, Brendan, Christian, Lane, Cale and Grayson; two brothers-in-law: Edward Voichahoske and his wife, Marcy of Fullerton, Nebraska and Merle Divis and his wife, Adaline of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents and wife, Elenore he was preceded in death by his son, Daniel in 1993; one brother, Paul Nelson and his wife, Dorthea; two sisters: Ruth Hectman and her husband, Hy and Dorothy Gambina and her husband, Ted; four brothers-in-law: Joseph, Dennis, Bernard and Norbert Voichahoske and four sisters-in-law: Mary Voichahoske, Esther Casey, Alice Divis and Jean Brown.

Rosary will be held prior to the Memorial Mass on Saturday, at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Memorial Book Signing will be held at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege on Friday, April 23, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

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.