Rodney K. Nelson

Rodney K. Nelson, 83 of Sidney, and longtime Oakland, Neb. resident, passed away at his home Thursday morning, Oct. 1, 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney, with Pastor Dave Hall officiating. Local services will conclude at the church with cremation to follow. Inurnment will be in the Argo Cemetery near Craig, Neb. at a later date. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Monday from 1 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Rodney's name to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or the Argo Cemetery. You may view Rodney's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Rodney's care and service arrangements.

Rodney Keith Nelson, the youngest of five children born to David Edgar and Gerda Cecelia (Norgren) Nelson, was born on May 17, 1932 at Oakland. He attended the Oakland Public Schools and graduated with the Oakland High School Class of 1950. On November 2, 1952 Rodney was united in marriage to Mable Irene Larson at the Elim Lutheran Church at Swaburg, Neb. He was employed at Ray Traub Feeds and later at Jerry Wallerstedt Feeds and the Farmer's Coop Elevator. In 1972 Rodney purchased Nelson Hardware, running the business until selling it in 1994. Rodney and Mable moved to Sidney in 2001 to be closer to family.

Rodney was a current member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and a former active member of First Lutheran Church in Oakland. While in his youth he was active in 4-H and enjoyed showing his cattle. While a businessman in Oakland, Rodney was active in the Lions Club, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, attended Nebraska Football games and enjoyed gardening.

Survivors include his wife: Mable of Sidney; (3) daughters: Barbara Ernest and husband Greg of Dalton, Beverly Rabe and husband Gregg of Gurley and Brenda Spencer and husband David of Yankton, S.D .; (9) grandchildren: Karlene Dudley and husband Jacob of Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., Regina Barthel and husband Joerg of Frankfurt, Germany, Randi Cleveland and husband Cody of Norfolk, Dana Rabe of Dublin, Ireland, Margaret Kaltsulas and husband Neil of Yankton, Mitchell Ernest and fiancee' Courtney Bremer of Dalton, Kegan Rabe and wife Sawyer of Keystone, Neb., Erik Spencer and girlfriend Brittany Davis of Yankton, and Adam Spencer of Yankton; (3) great-grandchildren: Norah and Ben Dudley and Logan Cleveland; (3) sisters-in-law: Mary Johnson and husband Emery of Fremont, Marjorie Davis of Fremont and Donna Larson of Uehling, Neb .; (1) brother-in-law: Richard Larson of Uehling and numerous extended family members and friends.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, (2) brothers: Clifford Nelson and wife Vivian and Roland Nelson and wife Kathryn, (2) sisters: Mildred Woerman and husband Elray and Lillian Peterson, (3) brothers-in-law: Harry Larson and wife Jean, Gerald Larson and Robert Davis, (1) sister-in-law: Vernell Larson and numerous extended family members.