Paul Stevens

Celebration of Life Services for Paul G. Stevens will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating. Following traditional services, cremation will take place, and a private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Beaver City, Nebraska.

Paul Gene Stevens, 79 years of age of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Orleans, Nebraska), passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. He was born November 20, 1938, at Oxford, Nebraska, the only child of Frank "Hal" and Faye (Silvey) Stevens and was raised on the family farm in Harlan County, south of Holdrege. Paul received his education at the Mascot School in rural Harlan County, and graduated from Mascot High School with the class of 1956. He then completed three semesters of education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was a Staff Sargent in ROTC before returning to the family farm.

On May 10, 1959, he was united in marriage to Sharon Kaye Kolves at the Presbyterian Church in Stamford, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Oxford for one year before moving to the family farm where they started their family. They farmed and ranched until his retirement in 1989, where he then pursued careers at the Atlanta Elevator, Holdrege Senior Center, and Holdrege Country Club, all while helping neighboring farmers plant and harvest. The farm is still in the family, and has been for over 100 years. Recently they accepted the Harlan County Nebraska Great Family Award.

Paul was an avid leader at church helping with multiple mission trips. He was a long standing member of Mascot Bethel Church serving as a trustee. He served on the Harlan County Extension Board, was a 4-H leader in the Triple C and Dusty Trails Clubs, and a member of the Orleans Jaycees club.

Besides his parents, Paul was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Harold Beck; two nephews: Keith and Kent Beck.

Paul spoke often of the many relatives and friends he held dearly in his heart, and leaves them to remember his life; his wife, Sharon Stevens of Holdrege; his four children: Jodie Lynn Witt and her husband, Marvin of Mead, Colorado; Kandis Kaye Anderson and her husband, Clark of Las Vegas, Nevada; Holly Jean Stevens-Fulmer and her husband, Corey Fulmer of rural Orleans; Andrew Paul Stevens and his wife, Heidi of Buffalo, Wyoming; eight grandchildren: Amber Buzzard and her husband, Casey; Seth Martin; Maddelyn Anderson; Paige Meyers and her husband, Michael; Alissabeth Abrahamson; and Paislee Stevens; and Cassie and Connor Fulmer; five great-grandchildren: Bailey and Brynley Buzzard; Broc Anderson; and Landon and Saylor Meyers; a sister-in-law, Barbra Beck of Holdrege; nephew, Kurt Beck and his wife, Wendy of Lincoln; and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 18, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Paul's honor, 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.