Renee L. Nelson

Funeral Services for Renee L. Nelson will be conducted from Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Jamie Strickler officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Renee L. (Ekholm) Nelson, 88 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege. Renee was born on December 1, 1927 on a farm, north of Holdrege, Nebraska, the second of five children born to Jared and Mae (Epping) Ekholm. Renee received her primary education and graduated from Holdrege High School at the age of 16, with the class of 1944.

Following graduation, Renee worked at the First National Bank in Holdrege.
On Valentine's Day in 1948, she was united in marriage to Robert L. "Hap" Nelson at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege and to this union four children were born: James, Donn, Richard and Kathryn. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Robert worked with his father in the family business, Nelson Oil Company. After her children were grown, Renee enjoyed working at O'Neill's Department Store for a few years until it closed. After Hap retired the couple enjoyed the next 19 summers in Estes Park, Colorado.

She was devoted to her family and was always ready to inspire and encourage. Her joy and satisfaction came from serving them. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hap, on January 24, 2014. Valentine's Day was always special since it was their anniversary and we are rejoicing that they will be celebrating this Valentine's Day in their heavenly home.

Besides her husband, and her parents; Renee was preceded in death by her brother, Jared LaWarren Ekholm and his wife, Alberta; a brother-in-law, Wayne Hanson and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Nelson.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her three sons: Dr. Jim Nelson and his wife, Connie of Elm Creek, Nebraska, Donn Nelson and his wife, Sandy of Sarasota, Florida and Dick Nelson of Bismark, North Dakota; one daughter, Kathy Vannoy and her husband, Tim, of Leawood, Kansas; sixteen grandchildren: Jennifer Bostic and her husband, John, Amber Olson and her husband, Bill, Jared Nelson, Scott Nelson and Carolyn Clark, Shawn Hanley, Stacey Hanley, Jamie Rodhouse, Chadd Nelson and his wife, Kristie, Brooke Baker, Carrie Davenport and her husband, Shane, Andy Nelson and his wife, Joelle, Dr. Ben Nelson and his wife, Dr. Shelley, Chris Nelson and his wife, Lauren, Morgan Vannoy, Meryl Vannoy and her fiancé, Charlie Bloomfield and Grace Vannoy; fourteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Marcie Arrasmith and her husband, Dr. Don of Omaha, Nebraska; two brothers: Maynard Ekholm and his wife, Patti of Farmington, New Mexico and Bernie Ekholm and his wife, Norma of Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Betty Hanson of Omaha, Nebraska; Hap's uncle, Byron Nelson of Holdrege; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.


Visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

The family suggests that memorials in Renee's honor may be sent to Holdrege Memorial Homes or Bethel Lutheran Church.

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.