Phyllis Nelson

Phyllis R. Nelson, age 93 of Fremont, formerly of Mead, died Thursday, January 31, 2013 in Fremont. She was born April 16, 1919 at Prague, NE to William and Lena (Fishler) TePoel. Phyllis attended rural schools in Saunders County and graduated from Mead High School in 1936. She attended Luther College in Wahoo receiving a three year teaching certificate which she used to teach at Saunders County Districts 114 and 4. In 1937, she was crowned Miss Wahoo. Phyllis married Roland G. Nelson on June 23, 1940 in Lincoln. They lived in Lincoln and in State College, PA while Roland obtained a Masters Degree at Penn State. They returned to the family farm near Mead in 1942 where they farmed for 26 years. They moved to Mead in 1968. Roland died February 1, 1980. Phyllis continued to live in Mead until 2006 when she moved to Fremont. Phyllis was a charter member of the MariEtta Extension Club. She was involved with Alma Lutheran Church Women's organizations, Sunday School Teacher, co-leader of the Mari-Belle's 4-H Club, Saunders County, state and national Farm Bureau organization activities, Recording Secretary of the Mead High School Alumni Association for 46 years, Mead Red Hatters Club and Mead TOPS Club. Phyllis cherished each member of her family and took great pride in them and their achievements. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Glenn and Margie Nelson of Mead; daughter and son-in-law Janet and Leroy Ostransky of Fremont; son and daughter-in-law Roger and Jody Nelson of Mead; grandchildren Traci (Dean) Fahrenholz of Ord, Eric Nelson of Mead, Nancy (Doug) Strong of Fremont, Todd (Kellie) Ostransky of Chandler, Arizona, Mark (Shannon) Ostransky of Fremont, Lori (Monte) Else of Lander, WY, Aaron (Elizabeth) Nelson of Mead, Brittany Nelson of Hong Kong, China, and Christina Nelson of Mead; sister Willa Mae Alberts of Dassel, MN; step-brothers Richard Kirchmann of Fremont and Francis (Helen) Kirchmann of Valley; 13 great-grandchildren; 4 nephews, 1 niece. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents William and Lena (Fishler) TePoel (Kirchmann); husband Roland G. Nelson; grandsons Allan and Adam Nelson; great-granddaughter Ava Else; sisters and brothers-in-law Mildred and Mark Barrett and Lucille and Ray Spanton; step-brothers George, Donald, LeRoy and Melvin Kirchmann; 2 nephews; 1 niece. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Aaron Nelson, Eric Nelson, Mark Ostransky, Todd Ostransky, Doug Barrett, Tom Barrett, Lynn Alberts and Curt Alberts. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Nancy Strong, Traci Fahrenholz, Lori Else, Brittany Nelson, Christina Nelson and Judy Johnson. Interment will be at Alma Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Alma Lutheran Church.