Gerenia I. Nelson, 92, of Kearney, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Graveside Services will be Monday, January 21, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln with Pastor Darlene Novotny officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 5 to 7 pm at the Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to The First United Methodist Church. A message of condolence can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Gerenia was born December 3, 1920 in Odell, Nebraska to Elmer and Clara (Kostal). She attended Banner school in Gage County and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1937. After high school, she worked as a federal inspector of grain and seed for 14 years. The last 5 of those years she was treasurer of the corporation. Gerenia then attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lincoln and graduated in 1955. She married Lester L. Nelson on May 8, 1955 in Beatrice. She worked for the Orthopedic Hospital until it closed and was transferred to the Nebraska State Hospital in Lincoln. They moved to Kearney in 1970. Gerenia worked at Good Samaritan Hospital in the Intensive care unit when it opened. She kept up on seminars in other divisions of nursing, and was an avid believer in education. She retired from Nursing in 1986. Gerenia loved Morgan horses, and she would attend clinics and show horses with her daughter. She is a member of the Missouri Valley Morgan Horse Club and was awarded an AMHA Master’s Certificate. Gerenia loved to go fishing with her family. She also loved traveling around the United States, Canada, Mexico, Korea, and Japan. Her last trip was a cruise to the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Grand Caymen Islands returning through the Aztec Ruins in Mexico.

Surviving Relatives include her daughter Karen Nelson of Kearney, NE, son: Lester Nelson of Kearney, NE, step-son Ken Nelson and his wife Louisa from Junction City, KS, and brother-in-law Merle Nelson of Beatrice, NE., 6 step grandchildren, and 7 step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and step-daughter Lucille Kaeding


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