Nellie Anne (Olson) Catterson, age 82, of North Platte, NE passed away on July 13, 2021. She was born on October 31, 1938 to Carl and Clarice (Gordon) Olson in Emmons, MN. At an early age the family moved to Dresden, KS and then to Wellfleet, NE where she attended school through the 8th grade. She then attended high school in North Platte living and working for room and board, graduating in 1957. Upon graduation she attended Kearney State College earning a two-year teaching degree. She began her teaching career in Grant, NE teaching the 6th grade. After teaching in Grant for 3 years during which she took summer classes, she returned to Kearney State, earning her Bachelors Degree in Education. She was then hired to teach at Jefferson Elementary in North Platte, NE.
It was at this time she was to meet and marry her husband of 56 ½ years, James Catterson. Between raising a family and teaching, she taught a total of 30 years at Jefferson and McDonald Elementary, retiring from education in 1998. After retirement, Nellie enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends to different places in the U.S. and other countries. She greatly enjoyed her volunteer work with MOPS and The Bridge of Hope and working with young children. She and her husband also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels for a few years as well. Nellie was a people person and never knew a stranger. If she didn’t know someone, she would introduce herself and start up a conversation. Nellie was an active member of the local DOES Chapter and then joined the Ogallala Chapter and drove after the North Platte Chapter folded. She was also a member of Chapter GO of the PEO organization and United Methodist Women.
Nellie was preceded in death by her father, Carl Olson; mother, Clarice Olson Arnold; step-father Rex Arnold; and her sister Ladonna Cook.
She is survived by her husband, James; son, Darin (Michelle) Catterson of Bellevue, NE; daughter, Kimberly Angel of Lochbuie, CO and son, Gregg (Robin) Catterson of Rock Hill, SC; grandchildren, Chauntel Fries, Tiffany Fries, Katelyn Angel, Gabrielle Catterson, Regan Catterson, Daniel Catterson, Nick Wilson; and great-grandchildren, Kaydan Fries, Brycen Fries, Mason Fries, James Lane Catterson, Deliah Rhodes and LeAnna Rhodes; sisters, Carol (Jim) Eshelman, Helen (Gary) McConnell; brothers, Raymond (Phyllis) Olson, David Olson; sister-in-law Gwendolyn Catterson and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Shrine Club Transportation Fund which transports children and their parents free of cost to various Shrine hospitals in the U.S.
Funeral service will be at 11:30 am, Monday, July 19, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte with Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00pm to 7:00pm with family receiving friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Sunday, July 18 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Burial will be at 1:00pm at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska.
The service will be livestreamed via Carpenter Memorial Chapel’s Facebook page. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www.carpentermemorial.com.