Myron "Mike" J. Nelson

NEWMAN GROVE -- Funeral service for Myron “Mike” Jay Nelson, 86, of Newman Grove, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2023 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove, NE. Rev. Claire Meyer will be officiating the service. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery in rural Newman Grove. Visitation will be 3-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 12th also at the church. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 73 and United States Army Honor Guard. Mike passed away on November 7, 2023 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, Nebraska. Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk is in charge of the arrangements. Mike was born August 15, 1937 to Walter and Ida (Otis) Nelson in rural Newman Grove, Nebraska. Mike attended rural Madison County elementary school until 8th grade, and graduated from Newman Grove High school in 1955. After high school, he completed one year at Norfolk Junior College. Mike then joined the US Army Reserves for almost eight years. During his service, he trained in radio communications which led to his career at WJAG Radio Station as the farm director. He was known around Northeast Nebraska as “Radio Mike.” He left the radio station to farm with his dad on the family farm. He had a passion of collecting International tractors, which turned into eight International tractors and a 1928 Model A, which was in turn was his first vehicle. Mike also collected eagles and windmills. You could find him at almost all the area parades with his tractors and Model A. He enjoyed spending time with his family, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life. If you didn’t find Mike in the field with his cows or around his tractors, you could find him at a cattle or farm sale. Mike was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and later joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove. He was on the Trinity Lutheran Church council and read scripture at the Mid-Nebraska Lutheran Home for many years. He was actively involved in many organizations which included: Norfolk Jaycees, Farm Bureau, Madison County Fair Board, Madison County Extension Board, Gideons International - Norfolk Chapter, and in the Orphan Grain Train Organization as a driver with friend, Harlan King, District 97 School Board, the Newman Grove City Council and the Madison County Cattlemen’s Association. Mike married Betty Jane Leu on August 16, 1959 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Norfolk, Nebraska. To this union, three children were born: Jody Rae, Jay D and Joey Jene. Dennis McCloud joined the Nelson family in 1973. Survivors include his spouse Betty; daughter, Jody (Barry) Johnson; sons, Jay (Barbie ‘Bub’) Nelson, Joey (Renata) Nelson, Dennis (Jeanie) McCloud; grandchildren Jennie (Anthony) Krueger, Jaime (Eric) Reichmuth, Jesse (Samantha) Johnson, Benjamin (Anna) Nelson, Kevin (Abbie) Nelson, Jordan (Alyssa) Nelson, Alyssa (Eric) Moon, Stephanie (Bobby) McKinnis, Josh (Michelle) McCloud, Abbie (Branden) Murray, Katie (Bo) Brummels; thirty-four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Mike is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Norma Monson and Myrna Higgins; brother in laws, Earl Monson, Jerry Higgins, Larry Russell and Gene Leu; and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Russell. Organist will be Peggy Patzel and soloist will be Ray Herbert. Casket bearers will be Eric Reichmuth, Jesse Johnson, Benjamin Nelson, Kevin Nelson, Jordan Nelson, and Josh McCloud. Honorary casket bearers will be Jamie Reichmuth Jennie Krueger, Alyssa Moon, Stephanie McKinnis, Abbie Murray, and Katie Brummels. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

Tributes

Myron "Mike" J. Nelson

August 15, 1937 - November 7, 2023