Erma Nelson

1932 - 2025

Erma Nelson

June 14, 1932 - September 23, 2025

Erma Nelson, 93, of Genoa, Nebraska, died Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Columbus Community Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 10, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Genoa with Rev. Juliet Rasi officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM and continue Friday, from 9:30 AM until service time, all at the church. Interment will be in West Hill Cemetery at approximately 1:45 PM on Friday. The memorial service will be broadcast live on the Gass Haney Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Augustana Lutheran Church.

Erma Katherine Nelson was born June 14, 1932, to Arthur and Katherine (Runge) Schreiber, in Platte County Nebraska. Erma was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church (Shell Creek) in rural Columbus. Erma attended grade school in rural Columbus and graduated from Kramer High School in 1949.

Erma was united in marriage to Leland Nelson on October 2, 1955, at St. John's Lutheran Church (Shell Creek). They made their home on the family farm north of Genoa, where they raised their seven children.

Erma was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Genoa, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, on the Bake Sale committee, LCW member, and participated in the church quilting group. She also served on the Genoa High School Post Prom Committee.

Erma's greatest loves were tending to her large garden and taking care of her plants and flowers, canning and cooking for her family, and completing countless puzzles each winter. Her passions also included quilting days at the church that often spilled into tying quilts and prepping materials at home. Nothing matched her enjoyment of Husker sports, particularly football and volleyball.

Erma is survived by son, Don (Rose) Nelson of Columbus, NE; son, Roger (Kate) Nelson of Genoa, NE; son, Duane (Cindy) Nelson of Norfolk, NE; daughter, Kathleen (Scott Vicroy) Simley of Lincoln, NE; daughter, Deb (Tom) Loseke of Columbus, NE; daughter, Linda (John) Wienck of Randolph, KS; daughter, Janice (Jeff Oatman) Donoghue of Milford, NE; grandchildren, Christopher (Jordyn) Simley of Elkhorn, NE, Rebecca (Spencer) Kokes of Aurora, CO, Karalynn (Andrew Malenica) Hellbusch of Lincoln, NE, Matthew (Paige) Hellbusch of Lincoln, NE, Preston (Courtney) Nelson of Genoa, NE, Carly Donoghue of Norfolk, NE; great-grandchildren, Hudson and Oliver Simley of Elkhorn, NE, Rudy and Rory Malenica of Lincoln, NE, Lucy Hellbusch of Lincoln, NE; 6 step grandchildren; 17 step great-grandchildren; 4 step great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Wendell Stahl of Thornton, CO; sister-in-law, Marian Nelson of Columbus, NE; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Schreiber of Columbus, NE.

Erma was preceded in death by husband, Leland Nelson; parents, Arthur and Katherine Schreiber; parents-in-law, Clarence and Anna Nelson; brother, Arthur Schreiber Jr.; brother, Carroll Schreiber; sister, Esther Wennekamp; sister-in-law, Alice Schreiber; brother-in-law, Milton Wennekamp; brother-in-law, Ronald Nelson; sister-in-law, Arlene Stahl; son-in-law, Neal Simley; granddaughter, Victoria Nelson.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com