Marcia Nelson

Marcia Lavonne Nelson, 90 of Ansley went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 3, 2022, at Rose Lane Home in Loup City, NE surrounded by her family, after a brief battle with cancer.  Marcia was born January 11, 1932, in Ravenna, NE to Hilda Wilamina Kunze Luth and George Luth.

A celebration of her life will be at 10 a.m. Friday October 7, 2022, at First Christian Church in Ansley with the Rev. Scott Harvey officiating. Burial will be at the Ansley cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m-7 p.m. Thursday October 6, 2022, at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow with the family present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Custer County Foundation to be given as a scholarship for 4-H youth.

Survivors include her; son, Randy and daughter-in-law Joan of Ansley; daughter, Debbie and son-in-law Pat Kelley of Burwell; six grandchildren Crystal and Steve Murrish of Ansley, Kent and Michelle Nelson of Ansley, Cassie and Matt Hansen of Ansley, Katie and Tanner Crisp of Mullen, Kami and A. J. Freeman of Thedford and Cody Nelson of Ansley; and nine great-grandchildren Caitlin, Ty, Kali, Kaycee, Karlee, and Kyle Nelson all of Ansley, Kay Hansen of Ansley, Kinley and Kyla Crisp of Mullen. Numerous cousins. 

She was preceded in death by parent’s Hilda and George, stepbrother Clifford, and husband Richard (Dick).

Marcia grew up on a farm South of Ravenna, Nebraska.  She attended a country school near her home.  The school was close enough that she walked to school every day.  Marcia always told the story about her new pair of school shoes and one day when returning from school she got caught in a rain and hailstorm.  Afraid of ruining her new shoes she took them off and put them in her lunch bucket then dug herself a hole in a straw haystack to weather out the storm.  Her Mother said she was soaking wet and covered in straw when she finally got home. 

Marcia attended Ravenna High School where she was very active in both the concert and marching bands playing the clarinet and singing in the choir.  The marching band always marched in the Harvest of Harmony Parade.  Marcia was very proud of the fact one year the band won the competition. 

After graduating high school Marcia attended Kearney State College where she received her teaching certificate.  Marcia taught in a country school in rural Buffalo County before marrying the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Nelson, on May 23, 1951.  After her marriage, Marcia taught in a country school near where she and Dick lived. She taught there until the arrival of their first child, Randy, after which she became a full-time mother. 

Marcia enjoyed animals but particularly loved her Pomeranian dogs Abbie and Tuffy along with her numerous farm cats.  Marcia was an avid gardener and a lover of flowers of which she could make grow where no one else could. Marcia would also grow the biggest tomatoes anyone has ever seen. Marcia worked alongside of her husband doing all aspects of ranching.  Dick always said he would never sell the John Deere 60 tractor as Marcia bought that tractor with her egg and cream money that she received from selling eggs and cream at Holley’s Store in Ansley.

When the kids started getting involved in 4-H Marcia and Dick took over as leaders of the Ansley Jr. Livestock 4-H Club. They enjoyed being sponsors for the kids that went to state fair and Aksarben.  After enjoying being leaders for 25 years they handed it over to Randy and Joan. Marcia enjoyed working with Melvin and Ilene Sherbeck as a clerk for the beef show at the Nebraska State Fair from the early 70s to mid-90s.

Marcia was a lifetime member of the Nebraska and American Angus Associations, as well as a past President of the Nebraska Angus Auxiliary and member of the American Angus Auxiliary. She was an avid bowler competing in local, state, and national tournaments for many years. Dick and Marcia loved to dance and travel all over the country.  When they weren’t traveling you would find Marcia in the kitchen.  No one ever went hungry when she was around. A favorite holiday meal was Thanksgiving, her corn and oysters, homemade rolls, turkey, and dressing was to die for. All the grandkids were amazed at how many sandwiches she could fit in one sandwich bag.  Another favorite was her canned peaches!

Marcia will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her especially her family.