Robert L "Hap" Nelson

Funeral Services for Robert L. "Hap" Nelson will be conducted from the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Jamie Strickler officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with Military Honors provided by the Martin Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United States Army National Guard Military Honors Team.

Robert Louis "Hap" Nelson, 86 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2014 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege. Robert was born on January 12, 1928 near Loomis, Nebraska, the eldest of two children born to Reuben and Grace E. (Brooks) Nelson. Robert received his primary education and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1945.

Following graduation, Robert was inducted into the United States Army on February 28, 1946. He served his country during World War II as a clerk typist and worked under General McArthur. Hap was honorably discharged on August 15, 1947.

On February 14, 1948, he was united in marriage to Renee L. Ekholm in 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 owned and operated the Nelson Oil Company with his father. Hap retired at 59 years old and enjoyed the next 19 summers in Estes Park, Colorado.

Hap was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church of Holdrege, serving on the Church Counsel and was a Charter Member of the Lions Club.

Hap enjoyed hunting, camping, and boating. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Jared LaWarren Ekholm and his wife, Alberta.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his wife, Renee Nelson; sons, Dr. Jim Nelson and his wife, Connie of Elm Creek, Nebraska, Donn Nelson and his wife, Sandy of Osage Beach, Missouri, Dick Nelson and his wife, Brenda of Bismark, North Dakota, 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 Grace Vannoy; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Hanson and her husband, Wayne of Omaha, Nebraska, sister-in-law, Marcie Arrasmith and her husband, Dr. Don of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers-in-law, Maynard Ekholm and his wife, Patti of Farmington, New Mexico and Bernie Ekholm and his wife, Norma of Springfield, Missouri; uncle, Byron Nelson of Holdrege; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 1:00 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.

A memorial has been established in Hap's honor and kindly suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, Bethel Lutheran Church or Holdrege Memorial Homes.

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.