Burton Royce Nelson

Hastings resident Burton Royce Nelson, 93, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, NE.    

Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Benjamin Hanne officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hastings. A book signing will be 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. with family present 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family for Burton’s favorite charities such as Hastings Special Olympics, Hastings International Organization Japanese Garden Fund, or Grace United Methodist Church. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Burton’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Burton was born in Hastings, NE on July 26, 1930, to Romain M. and Nora (Granstrom) Nelson. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1948 and attended Hastings College. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. On June 18, 1954, he married Madeline Wolfe, they lived in Hastings and had four sons.

He worked at the Hastings Museum for 48 years, serving as Curator of Exhibits and Director. He was a member of the Nebraska Museum Association and Mountain Plains Museum Conference. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, life member of the NRA, Toastmasters International, Association of Retarded Citizens, Special Olympics, and Hastings International Exchange Organization. He served as President of the Hastings Noon Lions Club, Hope School for the Retarded, Brooking Bird Club, and the Hastings Art Club. He participated in the construction of the Ozu-Hastings Japanese Garden at Hastings College and was the caretaker of the garden for eight years. He was a member of the Adams County Historical Society and an honorary member of the Hastings Girl Scouts. He was also a volunteer at the Hastings Public Library. 

Burton was preceded in death by his wife, Madeline; parents; brother and spouse, Dallas and Ruth Nelson of Harvard. 

SURVIVORS:

Sons & Spouses:                     
    Richard & Debra Nelson – Lincoln, NE

    Roger & Kathy Nelson – Hastings, NE

    Robert Nelson – Hastings, NE

    Raymond Nelson – Hastings, NE
Grandchildren:                       
    Amanda & Luke Ames – Loveland, CO

    Phil & Megan Nelson – Clay Center, NE

    Lisa Nelson – Lincoln, NE
    Jenna Nelson – Lincoln, NE

    Chris & Kathleen Smolik – Hinesville, GA 
Great-Grandchildren:             
    Traevon Nelson – Lincoln, NE
    Nayleece Nelson – Lincoln, NE

    Ellie Nelson – Clay Center, NE

    Luke Nelson – Clay Center, NE
    Adeline Ames – Loveland, CO
Nieces:                                                
    Sheila Nelson – Harvard, NE

    Susan Larson – Holdrege, NE

    Janet Nelson – Stratton, NE