Thomas Nelson

Hastings resident, Thomas Patrick Nelson, 71, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and two daughters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Hastings with Fr. Michael Houlihan, Fr. James Meysenburg, and Fr. Thomas Brouillette officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials may be given to the Thomas P. Nelson Memorial Fund. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., with family present 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 28, concluding with a Scripture Wake Service at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Hastings. Viewing will also be one hour prior to the service at the Church on Friday.

Tom Nelson was born on March 7, 1944 in Wood River, Nebraska to Joe and Patricia (Kenney) Nelson. Tom was the tenth of ten children. Tom graduated from Wood River High School in 1962 and received his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Kearney State College in 1967. While attending Kearney State College he met the absolute love of his life, Diane Buss. They were united in marriage on August 25, 1967 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Gothenburg, Nebraska. In subsequent years he earned his Master's Degree in counseling and his Specialist Degree in School Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Tom had a passion for teaching and coaching students of all ages. He spent over 34 years in education, and served in a variety of positions. He began his teaching career at Merriman High School in Merriman, Nebraska. He also taught and coached in Thedford and Henderson, Nebraska. He then spent 10 years, serving as a State Farm Insurance agent in McCook, Nebraska. He returned to education and served as a guidance counselor and coach in Sidney and Doniphan, Nebraska. He served as a school psychologist for the Grand Island Public Schools for 20 years. While working as a school psychologist, he also was an assistant coach in various sports at Hastings St. Cecilia and helped the Bluehawks win the state football championship in 2009, where his dream of winning a state title came true. In his free time, Tom enjoyed golfing and fishing and trips to Lake Okoboji with his family and friends. Tom was active in many community, civic, and fraternal organizations. All of these activities brought Tom joy; however, he loved his family above all else.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Patricia; brothers, Timothy and Fr. Bernard; brother-in-law, Floyd Callahan; sister-in-law, Shirley Nelson; and nephews, David and Patrick Nelson.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
Diane Nelson - Hastings, NE
Daughters & Sons-in-law:
Cindy & David Long - Hastings, NE
Kelli & Troy Berryman - Norfolk, NE
Grandchildren:
Mitchell, Nicholas & Morgan Long - Hastings, NE
Abby & Maggie Berryman - Norfolk, NE
Siblings & Spouses:
Jack Nelson - Hastings, NE
Mary Jane & Bryan Bachkora - Hays, KS
Joann & Lyle Scripture - Grand Island, NE
Rose Callahan - Grand Island, NE
Nona Nelson - Fremont, NE
Robert & Barbara Nelson - Omaha, NE
Dennis & Lois Nelson - Creston, IA
Patricia & James Kasparek - Grand Island, NE
Many Nieces & Nephews