+ Fred Nelson + Funeral, Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Fred J. Nelson, 76 of Oakdale, NE passed away Friday, June 1, 2012 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, NE.

Funeral services are 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin, NE, with Rev. David Kuhfal officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakdale Cemetery with military rites being conducted by the American Legion Post #229 and VFW Post #5816 of Elgin. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday at Huffman-Levander Funeral Home in Elgin, NE.

Fred John Nelson, son of Fred William and Elvera Emma Louise (Meyer) Nelson was born August 4, 1935 on the family farm near Oakdale, NE. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith, attended Antelope County Rural District #36 School and graduated from Oakdale High School with the Class of 1952. He entered the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1956. He received further education in refrigeration at an Omaha trade school before returning to the Oakdale area to farm.

On April 15, 1961, he was united in marriage to Mary Jo Mellick at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Norfolk, NE. To this union, four children were born. The couple made their home on a farm south of Oakdale, NE where Fred farmed and operated a dairy.

Fred was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post #229 in Elgin, NE, District #36 School Board, Oakdale Rural Fire Board, as well as an officer and trustee of Trinity Lutheran Church.

He is survived by three children: Randy Nelson and wife Diane of Oakdale, NE; Ron Nelson of Omaha, NE; Karen Cronk and husband Alan of Page, NE; seven grandchildren: Chad, Aaron, Hanna and Levi Cronk; Kayla and Amy Nelson; Connor Nelson; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Charles and Mary Jo Mellick of Millard, NE; one aunt: Margie Meyer of Wahoo, NE; one cousin: Belva Beach of Atkinson, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jo in 2010; his parents; daughter Jo Ellen Nelson; brother: Francis Nelson; sister: Ruth Blanford; his grandparents, along with his aunts and uncles.