Shurley Nelson, 85

Shurley Nelson, 85, of Blair died March 7, 2008.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at First Lutheran Church in Blair.

Shurley Nelson was born in 1922, on the family farm, 5 miles north of Fremont to Peter and Christina Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed at Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont and taught Sunday school there for many years.

In 1950, he met and married Janet Jensen and they moved southwest of Herman where Mr. Nelson began his farming operation that lasted more than 35 years. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Blair for many years, teaching Sunday school and served as a member of the church board. He was recently given an award for his many years of volunteering for Memorial Community Hospital Auxiliary. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren and rarely missed any of their events.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet Nelson; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Gladys of Herman; daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Lynn Sass of Elkhorn; grandchildren; great-grand-children; siblings, Marie Hansen of Raytown, Mo., Perry Nelson of Fremont, and Kathleen Gutschow of Fremont.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Russell Nelson; sister, Priscilla Skov; son, Kent Nelson and a daughter-in-law, Debbie.

Memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church in Blair, the Heart Association or the Lung Association.

#2 Omaha World Herald 10 Mar 2008

NELSON --- Mr. Shurley Lorents, age 85 of Blair, NE. Passed 3/7/08. Preceded in death by parents, Peter and Christina Nelson; brother, Russell Nelson; sister, Priscilla Skov; son, Kent Nelson and daughter-in-law, Debbie Nelson. Survived by wife of 58 years, Janet Nelson; son, Mark (Gladys) Nelson, Herman, NE; daughter, Jill and son-in-law, Lynn Sass, Elkhorn; Amy Sather and husband Matt, Blair; grandson, Ryan Nelson, New York City; and many other grand-children and great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 11 at First Lutheran Church, Blair, NE, 1:30 p.m. No Visitation.

#3 Funeral Leaflet

Memorial Service First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska

for Shurley Nelson

August 14, 1922 ~ March 7, 2008

Invocation; Solo “How Great Thou Art”; Scripture Psalm 23; Romans 10: 9-13; John 14: 1-7. Solo “In The Garden” Sermon John 11: 25-27. Solo “Lift High The Cross”. Apostle’s Creed. Closing Prayer. Solo “The Lord’s Prayer”. Commendation. Table Prayer, Recessional. Officiant Pastor Walt Behrens. Organist: Clare Cowing. Soloist: Duey Heffelfinger. Ushers: Roger Hohensee and Phil Larsen.

Shurley Lorents Nelson was born August 14, 1922 to Peter and Christina Nelson on their family farm five miles north of Fremont, Nebraska. Shurley grew up on the family farm with his brothers Russell and Perry and his sisters Priscilla, Marie, and Kathleen. Shurley was baptized and confirmed at Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church where he later served as a Sunday School teacher.

Shurley married Janet Jensen on February 8, 1950, at the First Lutheran Church in Blair where Shurley continued to be an active member and Sunday School teacher. Shurley and Janet farmed five miles southwest of Herman where they raised their three children, Kent, Mark, and Jill. Shurley and Janet were also blessed in 1979 to have two of their grandchildren, Amy and Ryan, come and live with them, providing the love and guidance they needed growing up to adulthood.

Shurley was known for his wisecracks and corny jokes and everyone in the family knew a “Shurley” when they heard one. Shurley loved visiting and sharing a laugh with other people, such as the morning he went into Blair West Pharmacy where they had a cord lying on the floor while vacuuming. One of the gals warned Shurley to be careful not to trip over the cord. Just then Shurley grinned and continued on his way, pretending to trip over the cord and causing great panic among the gals at Blair West.

Shurley enjoyed supporting and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s church and school activities, 4-H events and sporting events, dance recitals and community activities. Shurley was recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce for his many years of volunteer service with the Blair Hospital Auxiliary.

Shurley was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Christina Nelson; brother Russell, sister Priscilla Scov, son Kent and daughter-in-law Debbie. Shurley is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet; son Mark and daughter-in-law Amy Sather and husband Matt; grandson Ryan Nelson; granddaughter Jessica Nuttelman and husband Lance; grandsons Chad Nelson, Garrett Sass, and Gavin Sass; great-grandchildren Kaley, Estella, Jack and Marin.

During the past 30 years Shurley survived several heart attacks, bypass surgeries, cardiovascular disease, and repetitive stays in the hospital. Shurley continues to give and help by donating his body to medical science.

~~~ Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave # 208025317