Emma Margaret Nelson

Emma M. Nelson, 89, of Grand Island died Monday, January 26, 2015 in Grand Island with her family at her side.



Services will be at 10:30 am on Friday, January 30, 2015, at Gollaher Chapel of Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island with Rev. Theresa Mason officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday evening at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Grand Island Education Foundation or to Ascera Care Hospice. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.



Emma was born on January 8, 1926 in Rural St. Paul, Nebraska, the daughter of Chris and Agnes (Jacobsen) Rasmussen. She grew up on the family farm 5 miles outside of St. Paul. Emma graduated from Elba High School in 1944.



Emma was united in marriage to Harlan Hill Bud Nelson on June 18, 1947 at the St. Paul Presbyterian Church. The couple lived in Cairo before moving to Grand Island In 1966. Emma worked at Miller & Paine for 12 years.



Emma was a member of Trinity Methodist Church and of the Platt Deutsch. She and Bud enjoyed collecting antiques and going to garage sales. She also loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids and great grandkids. Emma spent many hours sewing on T-Towels.



Emma is survived by her children, Victor and Missy Nelson, Janet and Mike Ewoldt and Linda and David Lenz, all of Grand Island, her grandchildren, Bryan Ewoldt, Julie and Steve Heimes, Amy and Kory Schley, Haley Lenz, Shane and Ashli Nelson, Lance and Brandy Nelson, Steph and Jeff Hansen and Matt and Denise Leibert, 13 great-grandchildren and one due in July.



She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harlan Nelson, a grandson, Christopher Lenz, and a sister, Ella Klingsmith.



Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.