Seth Mach
Funeral Director/Owner
Seth Mach was raised in Fullerton, Nebraska and graduated in 2004. He started college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and worked for a mortuary in Kearney, Nebraska and later started his apprenticeship with them.
In 2008, Seth and Hana were married at the American Lutheran Church in Smith Center, Kansas. Seth and Hana have four children.
Hana is currently employed at Wilcox-Hildreth High School, as the High School Guidance Counselor.
Seth Mach
Funeral Director/Owner
Seth Mach was raised in Fullerton, Nebraska and graduated in 2004. He started college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and worked for a mortuary in Kearney, Nebraska and later started his apprenticeship with them.
In 2008, Seth and Hana were married at the American Lutheran Church in Smith Center, Kansas. Seth and Hana have four children.
Hana is currently employed at Wilcox-Hildreth High School, as the High School Guidance Counselor.
Ryan Bauer
Funeral Director/Former Owner
Ryan's dedication to funeral service began in the 9th grade during a school career day when he shadowed his hometown funeral director in Lexington, Nebraska. Ryan later began employment at the funeral home in high school and college. After completing his pre-mortuary requirements at Kearney State College he pursued mortuary school at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas, graduating as valedictorian of his class.
Ryan's wife, Jody is employed by ESU #11 at Holdrege in Staff Development as the Technology Curriculum Consultant and they have one son, Blare who is a Senior at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Ryan's passion has always been helping people during the most difficult times of their lives. His hobbies include: golf, hunting, tending to his yard, supporting Blare throughout all his interests, and spending time with his family. He deeply appreciates the presence of his friends and the bonds formed with the many community minded people he serves with to make the communities of south central Nebraska a better place to live.
Ryan is a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, a 3rd Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, member of the Holdrege Rotary Club, served on the Holdrege City Planning Commission for twelve years, previously served on the Executive and Full Board of Directors of the Phelps County Community Foundation, Past President of District #4 of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association, and is also a Past President of the Board of Directors at the Phelps Memorial Health Center.
Ryan Bauer
Funeral Director/Former Owner
Ryan's dedication to funeral service began in the 9th grade during a school career day when he shadowed his hometown funeral director in Lexington, Nebraska. Ryan later began employment at the funeral home in high school and college. After completing his pre-mortuary requirements at Kearney State College he pursued mortuary school at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas, graduating as valedictorian of his class.
Ryan's wife, Jody is employed by ESU #11 at Holdrege in Staff Development as the Technology Curriculum Consultant and they have one son, Blare who is a Senior at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Ryan's passion has always been helping people during the most difficult times of their lives. His hobbies include: golf, hunting, tending to his yard, supporting Blare throughout all his interests, and spending time with his family. He deeply appreciates the presence of his friends and the bonds formed with the many community minded people he serves with to make the communities of south central Nebraska a better place to live.
Ryan is a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, a 3rd Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, member of the Holdrege Rotary Club, served on the Holdrege City Planning Commission for twelve years, previously served on the Executive and Full Board of Directors of the Phelps County Community Foundation, Past President of District #4 of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association, and is also a Past President of the Board of Directors at the Phelps Memorial Health Center.
Heidi Daubendiek-Drew
Funeral Director
Heidi was born and raised in Gage County, and graduated from Beatrice High School. She comes from a farming family; her parents are Bruce and Elizabeth Daubendiek.
Heidi attended college at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, where she played collegiate volleyball, and graduated in 2012 with a major in Recreation and Sports Management and a Minor in Studio Art. She went on to work as the District Executive for the Cornhusker Council, Boy Scouts of America. She later found an interest in funeral service, and began pursuing her chosen career further. Heidi served her first half of her apprenticeship in Lincoln, Nebraska prior to attending and graduating from Kansas City Kansas Community College, where she earned her degree in Mortuary Science.
She has vast experience as an accomplished youth leader/advisor, and Heidi looks forward to outreach in community service. Heidi is honored to be part of the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Team, and care for the needs of all the communities they serve in Southcentral Nebraska.
Heidi Daubendiek-Drew
Funeral Director
Heidi was born and raised in Gage County, and graduated from Beatrice High School. She comes from a farming family; her parents are Bruce and Elizabeth Daubendiek.
Heidi attended college at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, where she played collegiate volleyball, and graduated in 2012 with a major in Recreation and Sports Management and a Minor in Studio Art. She went on to work as the District Executive for the Cornhusker Council, Boy Scouts of America. She later found an interest in funeral service, and began pursuing her chosen career further. Heidi served her first half of her apprenticeship in Lincoln, Nebraska prior to attending and graduating from Kansas City Kansas Community College, where she earned her degree in Mortuary Science.
She has vast experience as an accomplished youth leader/advisor, and Heidi looks forward to outreach in community service. Heidi is honored to be part of the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Team, and care for the needs of all the communities they serve in Southcentral Nebraska.
Susan Rieker
Office and Family Care Specialist/Advance Planning
Susan Rieker is originally from Holdrege, having spent the past 30 years working in various acute care settings as a Registered Nurse. It is her passion for helping those in a time of need that brings her to the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home. Susan and her husband, Arlyn live at Johnson Lake, Nebraska. They have two children: McKenna, who attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Mitch, who attends the University of Nebraska-Kearney. They all enjoy following sports and outdoor activities of any kind.
Susan Rieker
Office and Family Care Specialist/Advance Planning
Susan Rieker is originally from Holdrege, having spent the past 30 years working in various acute care settings as a Registered Nurse. It is her passion for helping those in a time of need that brings her to the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home. Susan and her husband, Arlyn live at Johnson Lake, Nebraska. They have two children: McKenna, who attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Mitch, who attends the University of Nebraska-Kearney. They all enjoy following sports and outdoor activities of any kind.
Lindsay Ecklun
Advance Planning/Family Service Advisor
Lindsay was born and raised in Holdrege and is the daughter of Rory and Karna (Arehart) Guthrie. She graduated from Holdrege High School and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Science and a minor in Gerontology.
Her husband, Chris, farms north of Holdrege and together they have two sons: Isaac and Sam. She is a member of P.E.O Chapter H and attends the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege. Lindsay enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends.
Lindsay Ecklun
Advance Planning/Family Service Advisor
Lindsay was born and raised in Holdrege and is the daughter of Rory and Karna (Arehart) Guthrie. She graduated from Holdrege High School and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Science and a minor in Gerontology.
Her husband, Chris, farms north of Holdrege and together they have two sons: Isaac and Sam. She is a member of P.E.O Chapter H and attends the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege. Lindsay enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends.
Lane Knisley
Apprentice Funeral Director
Lane was raised in North Platte, Nebraska and graduated from St. Patricks High School. He is the son of Hank and Karen Knisley.
Lane attended Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska where he pole vaulted for the Hastings Track and Field team. He graduated in May of 2022, with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, and a double minor in General Sciences and Citizenship and Community. He is currently enrolled at the Des Moines Area Community College, studying for a degree in Mortuary Science.
Lane Knisley
Apprentice Funeral Director
Lane was raised in North Platte, Nebraska and graduated from St. Patricks High School. He is the son of Hank and Karen Knisley.
Lane attended Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska where he pole vaulted for the Hastings Track and Field team. He graduated in May of 2022, with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, and a double minor in General Sciences and Citizenship and Community. He is currently enrolled at the Des Moines Area Community College, studying for a degree in Mortuary Science.
Larry Nyberg
Funeral Assistant / Maintenance
Larry Nyberg lives in Loomis, Nebraska.
Larry Nyberg
Funeral Assistant / Maintenance
Larry Nyberg lives in Loomis, Nebraska.
Doug Simpson
Funeral Assistant
Doug Simpson
Funeral Assistant
Jean Clayton
Visitation Greeter in Holdrege
Jean is a long-time resident of Phelps County and is honored to serve the community needs here at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home.
Jean Clayton
Visitation Greeter in Holdrege
Jean is a long-time resident of Phelps County and is honored to serve the community needs here at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home.
Ron Ludeke
Funeral Assistant in our South Branches.
Ron Ludeke and his wife, Sharon live in Oxford, Nebraska.
Ron Ludeke
Funeral Assistant in our South Branches.
Ron Ludeke and his wife, Sharon live in Oxford, Nebraska.
Sharon Ludeke
Visitation Greeter in Oxford
