Paul N. Nelson

Memorial Graveside Services for Paul N. Nelson will be conducted from the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Jean Clayton, officiating.

Paul Norman Nelson, 83 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born October 30, 1925 on the family farm in Phelps County, northeast of Loomis, Nebraska, the third of four children born to John and Florence (Anderson) Nelson. He received his primary education from the Christian Children's Home in Holdrege and then graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1945.

Following his education, Paul was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 13, 1945 and served his country until his honorable discharge on October 1, 1947. After his military service, he then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying in English and Math Economics.

Paul worked for the accounting firm, Harris-Kerr-Forrester in Chicago, Illinois and then in the hotel business for the Palmer House, where he was a bellhop, front desk clerk, and in food control. He had also been employed in catering at the Illinois Athletic Club and was the Assistant Manager of the Mid-America Club. This catering job brought him into close contact with famous people such as Bob Hope, Allen King, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Cosby and Julio Iglesias.

Later in years, Paul was employed in Canada, where he met and was united in marriage on October 15, 1955 to Dorothea Elsa Allen and to this union one son was born, George Gustaf. In the early 1990's, Paul returned to Holdrege. On February 4, 2008, Paul and Dorothea were preceded in death by their son, George.

While in Holdrege, Paul enjoyed being active at the Holdrege Senior Center, where he was known as "The Candy Man" which was descriptive of his hobby and daily task of delivering candy bars to the center. The past year, Paul had made his home at the Holdrege Memorial Homes.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Dorothea of the Golden Living Center in Sargent, Nebraska; one brother, John G. Nelson and his wife, Elenore of Loomis and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents and son, he was preceded in death by his; step-mother, Minnie Nelson; two sisters: Ruth Hectman and her husband, Hy and Dorothy Gambina and her husband, Ted and one nephew, Daniel Nelson.

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

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.