Donald Leroy Nelsen of Sanger, TX died May 30th at his home in Sanger. He was born January 3, 1956 to Leroy and Velma Nelsen of Curtis, NE. He grew up in Frontier County going to school at Curtis Elementary and Medicine Valley Jr.-Sr. High School graduating in 1974. While in school, he lettered in football, basketball and played baseball for the Curwood Legion Baseball team, making many memories of games he still talked about up to the day he died. After graduation he went to the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture majoring in Production Ag and playing baseball for the Aggies. Upon graduation of college, he went to work on the family farm.
In 1985 he moved his family to Texas where he worked in housing construction, also a part of the Doolittle Harvest Crew but eventually he became Ranch Foreman/Manager for Dr. Robert Nobles Bar N Bar Ranch. He was able to be involved in the two things he loved - wheat harvest combining wheat and raising cattle. His wealth of knowledge in the care of cattle was respected by many. His three boys: Randy, Tony and Jeremy were able to grow up in Sanger where Don was able to cheer them on as all three played football. He gained many extra “sons” from all of the boys’ friends through the years. Don was an avid sports fan continuing to cheer on the Huskers in all sports through thick and thin.
Don is survived by his three sons Randy (Aislinn) of Curtis, NE, Tony (Allison) of McKinney, TX, Jeremy (Taylor) of Sanger, TX. His grandchildren Jeffrey, Bailley, Adin and Charles of Curtis, NE, Preston of Krum, TX, Reese, Everly and Nash of Sanger, TX. He had stepchildren: Melissa McSpadden along with her children and grandchildren, Kayla (Sam) Lewis along with children Trent and Tyler. The children’s mother Becky Melchor and dear friend Johnna Rutenber. His surviving sisters Charlene (Gaylord) Johnson, Hastings, NE, Emily Hayek, Ord, NE, Janice Nelsen, Hastings, NE, Lori (Tom) Tobiasson, North Platte, NE along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as cousins and dear friends. He has three lifelong friends Rod Anderson, Doug Campbell, DeWayne Thompson all of Curtis, NE. He also had his Texas family - Dr. Robert Nobles and children.
Those who met him upon his death include, his parents Leroy and Velma Nelsen, brothers Charles Allen, Chris Lee, his bonus mother Mrs. Jimmie Lou Nobles and his brothers in law Ron Rice and Lumir Hayek. Along with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles Cousins and friends.
There will be a memorial service at the Curtis Community Center, 201 Garlick Ave. on Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 pm.
“It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living.
I doubt it matters where you die, but it
matters where you live.”
Gus McCrae, Lonesome Dove