Mary Kay Nelson

A funeral service in honor of Mary Kay Nelson will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, with Pastor Jan Gluth King officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

The service will also be live-streamed on the Bethel Lutheran Church Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Bethel.Holdrege .

Mary Katherine "Mary Kay" (Luke) Nelson, 85, of Plum Creek Canyon, Elwood, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska.

Mary Kay was born on November 21, 1939, in Holdrege, the middle child of Arthur "Dale" and Evelyn (Miller) Luke. She was baptized and confirmed at First United Methodist Church in Holdrege. As a young girl, she lived primarily at the Hotel Dale in downtown Holdrege, owned and operated by her family. Mary Kay attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics in 1961.

She was united in marriage to Clarke S. Nelson on August 7, 1960, in St. Petersburg, Florida. After Clarke's honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, the couple made their home back in Holdrege as owners of the C.S. Nelson Furniture Store, adding the Home Decorating Shop to the business in 1964. Clarke and Mary grew up a block apart, were friends for 83 years, and were married for 64 years.

Mary Kay was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school and vacation bible school. She served as chairwoman of Swedish Days (1979-80), was involved with the Holdrege Public Library Board, the Nebraska Library Commission, the Nebraska Library Association, and was a member of Chapter H, P.E.O. She enjoyed skiing, genealogy, sewing, and lace-making. She also created detailed and imaginative miniature dollhouses.

Mary Kay is survived by her husband, Clarke S. Nelson; son, Casey Nelson of Silver Spring, Maryland; daughter, Amy Kirchner and husband, John, of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren, Christopher Nelson of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Mary Nell Kirchner of Salt Lake City, Utah; brother, Jim Luke and wife, Ruth of Virginia; brother-in-law, Keith B. Nelson and wife, Glenda of Holdrege, along with extended family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, the Holdrege Public Library, or the Nebraska Prairie Museum, c/o the Historical Society.

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.