Dwayne E Nelsen Obituary (1928

In Memory of Dwayne E. NelsenA Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 23, 2018 at the Friend Congregational Church with Pastor Dave Coleman officiating. Interment will be in the Dorchester Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-6 pm Wednesday, with family greeting friends and relatives from 4-6 pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend, and Friday from 9 am until service time at the church. Memorials have been directed to the Alzheimer's Association or may be directed in care of the family for future designation. Dwayne E. Nelsen, was born July 17, 1928, on a farm northeast of Friend, Nebraska to Riis and Meta (Hansen) Nelsen and passed away Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Tabitha Care Center in Crete at the age of 90. Dwayne's mother passed away when he was eight months old and his father passed away when he was eight. After living with the Meyer Hansen family until he was two years old, he grew up in the loving care of his older siblings and step-mother. As a young boy he attended country school district 23 northeast of Friend and graduated from Friend High School with the Class of 1946. During his high school years, he worked for Frankforter's Grocery, Moore's Funeral Home and Klippenstein Implement Company. He and "Jerri" Geraldene Parks met at dance and were united in marriage on March 26, 1949 at the Dorchester Methodist Church. They were blessed with two children, Sandra and Douglas. Throughout their 60 years of married life, they enjoyed dancing and socializing with friends. He and Jerri made their home in Friend for a short time before moving to Paxton where Dwayne worked for Standard Oil and delivered gasoline to surrounding farms and ranches. In 1959, they moved back to Dorchester so Dwayne could return to farming on the family farm. He favored corn and worked long hours to till, plant and irrigate his cornfields. Dwayne also raised cattle and other livestock. He served on the Dorchester School Board for many years. Dwayne also was a charter member of the Friend Country Club. He and Jerri moved into Dorchester in 1980. After retiring from farming, they moved to Seward and later to Friend. While living in Seward, he drove a chemical truck until he was 80 for Agri-Alliance and worked part-time for the State of Nebraska Department of Roads. Dwayne was a loving father, grandpa and great-grandpa and was affectionately known as "Old Gramps". He loved telling jokes, teasing the kids and often instigated pranks that would get his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren "in trouble" with their Moms. Jerri often said she had three children, Dwayne being the "biggest one of all". He loved being around people and was surrounded by community of friends wherever he was. Dwayne cheerfully embraced each day and his faith in God carried him over the many rough spots presented during his journey in life. He was very-much loved for the joy he brought to his loved ones, and Dwayne will be very-much missed. He had a great sense of humor and his wit was unparalleled, making his family laugh often. Dwayne is survived by his daughter, Sandi Witkowicz, Lincoln, his son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Shari (Beckler) Nelsen, Dorchester, nine grandchildren and spouses, Paul Dwayne Muff and Melissa McCoy, Lincoln, William Douglas and Stacey Muff, Springfield, Scott James and Kristin Muff, Sunrise Beach, MO, Christopher Michael and Melinda Witkowicz, Fremont, CA, Shawny and Tommy Hicks, Burwell, Dusty and Laura Nelsen, Ringling, OK, Lacey and Matthew Rinlee, Mansfield, TX, Caley Nelsen, Kearney, Tana and Bart Miller, Pleasanton, 13 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Tate and Jackson Muff, Scotty and Paul Muff, Gracyn and Cort Hicks, Emmersen and Dempsy Nelsen, Cutter, Lucchese and Thayer Rinlee, and Trigg Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Geraldene "Jerri", son-in-law, Gene Witkowicz, siblings and spouses, Melvin Nelsen, Fern and R.D. Flanigan, Louelma and Earl Ferguson, Ardis and Lloyd Noeller, Virgil and Bonnie Nelsen, Jim and Marion Nelsen, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Donna and Robert Schweitzer. with family greeting relatives and friends from 4-6 pm Following lunch. The family will travel to the cemetery for burial. SERVICES Visitation Wednesday, November 21, 2018 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Lauber Moore Funeral Home - Friend 814 Maple Street Friend, Nebraska 68359 with family greeting relatives and friends from 4-6 pm Visitation Friday, November 23, 2018 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Congregatinal Church formerly United Church of Christ 639 2nd Street Friend, NE 68359 Funeral Service Friday, November 23, 2018 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Congregatinal Church formerly United Church of Christ 639 2nd Street Friend, NE 68359 Graveside Service Friday, November 23, 2018 Dorchester Cemetery; 336 Co Rd 1500 336 County Road 1500 Dorchester, NE 68423 Following lunch. The family will travel to the cemetery for burial.