Shirley Mae Nelson

Memorial Services for Shirley M. Nelson will be conducted from the Holdrege Memorial Homes Chapel at Holdrege, Nebraska on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplain Jean Clayton, officiating. Private family burial will be held at Fridhem Lutheran Cemetery at Funk, Nebraska prior to the memorial service.

Shirley Mae Nelson, 86 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. She was born on January 18, 1924 at Holdrege, the only child born to Harley Jacob "Fuzz" and Fern "Flossie" (Hardesty) Kennedy. Shirley was baptized in 1940 at the Baptist Church. She received her education at Holdrege, graduating with the Holdrege High School class of 1942.

On October 4, 1943, she was united in marriage to Oscar LaVern "Squeak" Nelson and to this union two children were born: Janis and Daniel. LaVern was serving in the U.S. Navy when they were first married. After the war was over, the family made their home in Holdrege. In 1950-51 they resided in North Platte, Nebraska and then they returned to Holdrege. Shirley's life was always centered on her family. They enjoyed family gatherings and looked forward to the time spent with the Kennedy and Nelson get togethers. Her focus was being a homemaker, raising her children and caring for the needs of the family. She was preceded in death by her husband, LaVern on October 10, 1994.

Shirley was a member of the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, the VFW Auxiliary in Axtell, Nebraska, and the Phelps Memorial Service League.

Shirley enjoyed listening to big band music of the 1930's and 1940's. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, loved to read, play cards and bingo and had a special interest in butterflies.

Besides her husband, LaVern, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents.

She leaves to mourn her passing her two children: Janis Pearson and her husband, Tim of Tabor, South Dakota, Daniel Nelson and his wife, Theresa of Orleans, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Audra Rice and her husband, Tyler of Sioux City, Iowa, Melanie Haroldson and her husband, Barret of Golden Valley, Minnesota, Corinna Woollen and her husband, Todd of Denison, Iowa, Amy Sue Nelson of Lincoln, Nebraska and Elizabeth Miller and her husband, Andy of Kearney, Nebraska; nine great-grandchildren: T.J., Morgan, Larry, Auden, Kai, Anya, Caden, Ava and Amelie; half-sister, Keya Kay Foss of Holdrege; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her name 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.