Gene Nielsen, age 93, lifelong Keith County rancher passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant, Nebraska. He was born on June 25, 1928 in Ogallala, Nebraska to Maring & Theresa (Feltz) Nielsen. He grew up on the ranch east of Ogallala, Nebraska, which has been in the family for over 100 years. He graduated from Ogallala High School in 1946. He married his high school sweetheart, Elaine McKeag on June 1, 1950. The couple made their home on the ranch and had six children together. Gene was an active member of St. Luke's Catholic Church and served as a parish trustee. An avid reader and library patron, he also served on the board of trustees of the local public library.
He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, strong faith, kind heart, skill with livestock and machinery, and lively intelligence.
He is survived by three daughters, Melody (Kelly) McGowan of Columbus, Nebaska; Kirsten Macdissi of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, and Elise (Kevin) Lockhart of Ogallala, Nebraska; two sons, Martin (Jackie) of Loveland, Colorado and Matt (Laura) of Ogallala, Nebraska; 12 grandchildren James (Stephanie) McGowan of Omaha, Nebraska, Anthony (Melissa) McGowan of Omaha, Nebraska, Nicholas (Christie) Nielsen of Erie, Colorado, Monica (John) Doherty of Fort Collins, Colorado, Erica (Robert) DiRocco of Houston, Texas, Lucas Nielsen (Becky Adair) of Ogallala, Nebraska, Jenny Nielsen of Ogallala, Nebraska, Adam (Kristen) Macdissi of Omaha, Nebraska, Anthony (Sarah) Macdissi of Omaha, Nebraska, Elena (Joshua) Barker of Roca, Nebraska, Theresa (Alex) Knobbe of Omaha, Nebraska and Phoebe Lockhart (Aaron Collins) of Boston, Massachusetts; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Gail Anderson of Tensleep, Wyoming and Mary Ann Anderberg of Arthur, Nebraska; brother-in-law Delbert (Carolyn) McKeag of Ogallala, Nebraska; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; an infant son, John; an infant sister, Mary; and son-in-law, Tom Macdissi.
A memorial has been established t St. Luke's School.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. MST at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala, Nebraska with Fr. Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Memorial book signing will be on Monday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. MST at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala, Nebraska. Rosary will be recited on Monday at 6 p.m. MST at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala.
Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.