Donald Nelson

Donald R. Nelson, 78, a lifelong Keith County resident, passed away November 27, 2023, at North Platte.

Don was born October 16, 1945, at Ogallala, Nebraska, to Raymond and Margaret (Christensen) Nelson. He graduated from Ogallala High School with the class of 1964 and went directly to the farm, where his heart always remained.

Don's passion was farming. He was smart and industrious, wearing many hats over the years, from inventor, electrician, welder, and mechanic, to name a few. Don had the heart of a teacher and mentor. There seemed to be an appointed season for joking and orneriness, rigidity, hard work, and one for faith and tenderness in his life, and with age and illness came a more profound love and appreciation for the bonds of family.

Never having children of his own, Don always had a special fondness for his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed taking drives, sometimes with unexpected destinations, but with an appreciation for the ride and the company that tagged along. Some of his most cherished moments would come later in life, when he'd return to the farm on Sundays, where he spent time with his great nephew, Pete, and his family, eating, visiting, and capping the day off with a drive for ice cream.

Though his last three years were filled with trials, they were also illuminated with blessings. Don enjoyed the retired life, enjoyed a renewed appreciation for family, experienced the harvest from the driver's seat of the combine, and even got a peek through the window at a greater harvest that was to come.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ray (Donna) Nelson, Norm, and Dave Nelson, and sister-in-law Joan Nelson.

Survivors include his brother, Bob of Grant; sisters-in-law, Betty Nelson of Ogallala, Nettie Fae Nelson of Ogallala; nephews and nieces; Steve (Carol) Nelson, of Ogallala; Mark (Julie) Nelson, of Hershey, NE; Linda (Randy) Dean, of Alliance, NE; Penny Nelson; Tim (Deb) Nelson, all of Pomona, KS; Valerie (Wayne) VanderSchaaf, of Ogallala; Jeff (Christina) Nelson, of North Platte, NE; Joel (Angela) Nelson, of Grand Island, NE; Brent (Mary Jane) Nelson, of Ogallala; Doug Nelson, of Greeley, CO; Scott (Rhonda) Nelson, of Emerson, IA; Matthew Nelson, of Ogallala; Sara (Jason) Kirkpatrick, of Grant, NE; and Adam (Megan) Nelson, of Amherst, WI; multiple great nieces and nephews, including Pete (Becca) Nelson and family who live on the home place and enjoyed a special closeness with Don.

Memorials are suggested to Brookstone Hospice in memory of Don. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 2 pm at GracePoint Church in Ogallala with Pastor Curtis Tschetter officiating. Interment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala on Friday, from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements