Elmer Eugene Nelson

Elmer Eugene Nelson, born on April 6, 1949, in the heart of Pawnee, Oklahoma, journeyed through life with resilience and warmth until his passing on February 14, 2025, in Billings, Oklahoma. Elmer embraced his world with a spirit unbroken by the challenges he faced from a young age, having fallen from a window at just three years old, which left him with a permanent handicap. Yet, it was this very spirit that drew others to him and made his presence in their lives profoundly significant.

Elmer's life was a tapestry woven with love, laughter, and loyalty. He was a man of simple pleasures, relishing sunny days spent sipping sweet tea, lost in the stories of the Old West as he watched his favorite shows, Bonanza and Gunsmoke. Elmer had a creative flair that came alive in his drawings, capturing the essence of moments and memories that will now be cherished by those who loved him.

He found joy in the little things, and his deep affection for 1960's wrestling took him back to an era when heroes were larger than life. Elmer's personality, vibrant and endearing, left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He created a space where laughter thrived, where friends became family, and where the spirit of camaraderie blossomed without reservation.

Elmer is lovingly remembered by his sister, Dorothy Brugge of Stillwater, along with her children: niece Janet Brugge of Stillwater, and nephew Dale Brugge and his wife Christine of Perry, niece Dawn Miller and her husband Jim of Perry, and niece DeAnn Brugge of Stillwater, niece Diane Brugge and her husband Andrew Wrede of Stillwater. He also leaves behind a legacy of eleven great nieces and nephews, each with a piece of his heart, as well as a host of friends and dedicated staff at the Billings Fairchild Center who became like family to him.

Elmer was preceded in death by his beloved father, Elmer Bryant Nelson, his mother, Velma Pearl Pike Nelson, and his sister, Betty Jo Nelson. Their memories will forever remain intertwined with his, a gentle reminder of the family ties that bind us even in parting.

Friends and loved ones are invited to celebrate Elmer’s life at a Funeral Service to be held at Brown-Dugger Funeral Home in Perry, Oklahoma, on Monday February 24, 2025, starting at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery of Pawnee. 

In the tapestry of life, Elmer Eugene Nelson was a vibrant thread, a perennial source of light and laughter, everlasting in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. As we remember him, let us hold dear the stories, the warmth, and the cherished moments that bring his spirit to life anew.