Virgil Samuel Nilson

Memorial Services for Virgil S. Nilson will be conducted from the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, November 9, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Jamie Strickler, officiating. Inurnment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege following the services with military honors provided by Martin Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the US Army National Guard Military Honors Team.

Virgil Samuel Nilson, of Clinton, Missouri (formerly of Holdrege, NE) passed away Monday, November 5, 2012 at Clinton at the age of 91. He was born March 27, 1921 at Anoka, Nebraska, the seventh child of Nils and Annie (Wilgus) Nilson. At nine months of age, he moved with his family to Tripp County, South Dakota where they lived on a farm that they owned and partially rented from the Sioux Indians in exchange for pork, beef and cash rent. He attended Hamill, South Dakota Public School through the 10th grade and high school in Gregory, South Dakota graduating in 1938. He farmed with his brother, Edgar until he enlisted in the United States Army on May 29, 1945. He was stationed at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, for his basic training and served 10 months as a Military Policeman in Iceland, where he earned his rank of Corporal. After his honorable discharge on November 16, 1946, he and his brother moved to a ranch near Burton, Nebraska.

He was united in marriage to Lucy Mae Thiede on November 3, 1948. They made their home on their Registered Shorthorn ranch in north central Nebraska, where they raised their four children. In 1969, the family moved to Holdrege, where he was employed by Holdrege Co-op Association as a refined fuels sales representative, retiring in 1986 after 17 years.

He was baptized and confirmed in Grace Lutheran Church of Burton, Nebraska on July 27, 1952 and served several offices during his years as a member of the congregation. He transferred membership to Bethel Lutheran in Holdrege, Nebraska and later to the Disciples of Christ in Clinton, Missouri.

Virgil was a devoted husband and loving father and enjoyed visiting family, friends and traveling while his health permitted. He had especially fond memories of time spent with his nieces and nephews throughout the years and the time and effort that they took to travel to visit him while he lived in Clinton meant more than words could ever express!

He had been a member of the American Legion Post #66, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fraternal Order of Eagles and BPO Elks Lodge 2062.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Mae; daughter, Paula Nilson and daughter, Patricia Nilson and Richard Woods all of Clinton, Missouri; sister-in-law, Madeline Thiede of Spokane, Washington; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his sons: Reldon and Wayne; his parents; Nils and Annie: one sister Genevieve: and five brothers Rudolph, Aubrey, Oscar, Edgar and Arvid.


The family will be greeting friends prior to the services at the church on Friday, November 9, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory 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.