Howard Nelson

Nelson, Howard Christian age 94 of Omaha, NE Born in rural Douglas County to Hans and Lena Nelson on August 8, 1916. Preceded in death by wife Florence; Survived by son and daughter-in-law Clayton and Brenda of Omaha; daughter and son-in-law Holly and Jerry Sander of Kiowa, CO; 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; visitation Friday noon to 8 PM with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 at the Elkhorn funeral home. Funeral Saturday 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church (142 & Ida St.) Interment Evergreen Memorial Park. Memorials to the church or Concordia Lutheran School. Military honors by Benson VFW #2503. Condolences to www.reichmuthfuneralhomes.com Reichmuth Funeral Home 21901 W. Maple Rd 402-289-2222 Howard Christian Nelson was the first born son of Hans and Nicolena (Kruse) Nelson born on August 8, 1916. Hans and Nicolena had four children in addition to Howard; an older sister, Mildred and younger brothers, Leonard, Elmer and Robert who all have since passed on. The family farmed near 144th and Blondo, which is now known as “Nelson’s Creek.” Howard attended a one room school house during his elementary years. He continued his education at Benson High School, but his education was cut short when he needed to stay home to assist on his family’s farm due to difficult times of the Great Depression. Howard experienced many changes in the agricultural industry over the 65 years of his farming career. He began working a team of horses pulling the equipment through the fields and witnessed the innovations of equipment being directed by satellite GPS. He took a three year furlough from his farming duties when he was called to serve in the military in July of 1942. He was deployed to Europe during WWII in the Army transportation unit. Howard met Florence, his wife of 64 years at a dance in Blair, Nebraska. They married on December 13, 1943 while he was still in the military. When he was honorably discharged on December 31, 1945, Howard and Florence settled down and began their joint farming operations and milking production on his uncle’s farm near Boys Town. Howard and Florence were married for almost 11 years when they brought Clayton Howard home in August 1954 and 10 months later, a baby sister, Holly Ann, completed the family of four in June of 1955. They continued their farming operations when they moved up to their farm in Washington County, Nebraska. In 1991, they retired from farming and moved into their new home on Corby Street, very close to where Howard began his early farming career. Howard was baptized, confirmed, married and attended church at Zion Lutheran during his entire lifetime. He spent many years in leadership positions of Zion as acting President, service on the building committee, groundskeeper with the trustee committee, and spent many evenings counting pennies as the Treasurer. Howard moved into Lakeside Assisted Living when Florence needed more care than what she could receive at home. During the 9 years that he lived there until his death, Howard made many friends as he was always willing to lend a helping hand. One of the best moments of his time there was when he was crowned “Valentine King.” He was a humble man and was astonished that they bestowed that honor on him. Florence lived just one year with Howard at Lakeside and when she needed extra care, she was moved to Brookestone Nursing Home. Everyday for six years until Florence’s death, Howard would make the trip to see her, bringing along a special treat such as a piece of fruit or a cookie. Howard passed away on October 19, 2010. He was preceded by his parents and siblings. Howard is survived by his children. Howard's son Clayton and his wife Brenda, their daughter Heidi Hron and her husband David and their three children; and their son Barry Nelson and his wife Brandy and their four children. Howard's daughter Holly Sander and her husband Jerry, their four children: Katie Eklund, Adrienne Olsen and her husband David and their two children, Todd Eklund and his wife Rachel, and Justin Sander and his wife Heather and their daughter.

Howard Nelson

August 8, 1916 - October 19, 2010