James H. "Jim" Nelson

James H. “Jim” Nelson age 90 of Laurel, Nebraska died on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord, Nebraska with Pastor Deb Hammer officiating. Burial will be at the Concord Cemetery, Concord, NE with military rites by the Allen American Legion Post 131 .  Visitation will be on Sunday, at church, from 3-5:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 5pm.  Visitation will continue on Monday one hour prior to services.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel.

Pallbearers will be Ray Wordekemper, Chris Wordekemper, Tim Wordekemper, Nick Diediker, John Diediker, Eric Nelson, Philip Nelson, Travis Nelson, Brock Bowlin, and Cole Harmon.

Honorary pallbearers will be Candy Staub, Kayla Rief, and Mandy Whelchel.

James Harlan Nelson son of Eric and Vernice (Erwin) Nelson was born on December 21, 1932 in Concord, Nebraska.  He grew up in Concord.  While in high school he excelled at playing basketball.  He graduated from Concord High School in 1950. Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and served his country from 1953-1955 with an honorable discharge.  He was a member of the Allen American Legion Post #131 where he received his 50 year pin on March 15, 2023.  Jim worked at Erwin Service Station in Concord. He married Doris Johnson on January 8, 1956 in Concord.  Jim farmed and raised livestock as well as working for Haskell Agriculture Lab in Concord from 1971-1998, when he retired at the age of 65.  Jim continued to farm and raise cattle until August 8, 2022.

Jim was a member of the Concordia Lutheran church in Concord where he was baptized, confirmed, and married. Jim was involved with the Dixon County Fair for several decades as the grounds superintendent.  Jim participated in tractor pulls close to 60 years until the age of 89.  He enjoyed bowling, Husker football, basketball, & volleyball.  Most of all he enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren playing all sports.  At 3:00 PM he was drinking coffee at the Concord Café.  The most important thing to Jim was his dedication to God.  He attended church regularly, participated in couples’ studies and listened to his favorite TV program by Dr. David Jeremiah.  

Jim is survived by his wife Doris of Laurel; five children and spouses Mary (James) Wordekemper of Norfolk, Dan “Harvey” Nelson of Allen, Jodene “Jo” (Kevin) Diediker of Dakota City, Todd Nelson of Laurel, LaRae “Buffy” (Tom) Harmon of Lincoln; 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; two sisters Donna Stalling of Norfolk, Sharon (Fred) Herrmann of West Point; a brother Dean (Sue) Nelson of Green Valley, AZ; brother-in-law Delwyn (Fern) Johnson of Oklahoma City, OK; two sisters-in-law Linda Johnson of Broken Arrow, OK, Mary Johnson of Allen; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Roxie Nelson; brother-in-law Cliff Stalling; sister Joyce &(LaVerne) Clarkson; four brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law Evert & (Ardyce) Johnson; “Freck” & (Suzie) Johnson; Phyllis & (Dean) Salmon; Leon Johnson; Duke Johnson.