Kay Nelsen

Kay J. Nelsen, age 84 of Broken Bow, NE, passed away May 10, 2025, at Bergan Mercy Hospital.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday May 14, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary with the family greeting friends and family 5:00-6:30 PM. A private family graveside memorial will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at the Oconto cemetery. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Prairie Pioneer Center in Broken Bow.

Kay Janice (Robertson) Nelsen was born to William and V. Irene (Overgard) Robertson at her grandparents’, George Robertson’s home near Callaway, NE, on July 5, 1940.

Kay grew up on Redfern Table near Callaway, NE. Growing up with her three brothers, she was always outdoors and learned the love of sports, especially playing softball. It was fun to hear stories about how Kay could play ball as good as any of the boys on the field. She attended grade school through the 8th grade at the Redfern schoolhouse. Kay then attended Callaway High School, where she excelled in sports and graduated as valedictorian in 1958. After graduation, Kay attended Kearney State College, where she played softball in the positions of first base and shortstop on the Kearney State College Women’s team. Kay received her teaching certificate and went on to teach school in the Lomax community. Kay met Dwight Nelsen at a town dance in Eddyville, NE, and as they say, “the rest was history”. They were married on June 4, 1961, at the United Methodist Church in Callaway, NE. They made their home in Kearney, NE, and were blessed with two daughters, Beth and Kimberly.

Dwight and Kay moved their family to Edgar, Wisconsin in the fall of 1964, where they bought a dairy farm. They were always a team. Kay was a true farm wife who worked alongside her husband to make their farm a success. Kay enjoyed being a homemaker by making evening meals after a day in the fields or working in the dairy barn, canning from their large garden, sewing clothes for her daughters, or tending to her rows of peonies, all of which she took great pride in doing.

In the fall of 1974, they moved their family back to Nebraska, where they bought a place outside of Broken Bow, NE. Kay worked many years for the Department of Health and Human Services, where she retired in 2005. They enjoyed their grandchildren spending time in the summers and weekends on the farm. She truly cherished those special times with them. Kay and Dwight moved to Broken Bow in 2010. Kay hosted many holiday dinners and family get-togethers. She loved to play board and card games. Kay would always get a game going with everyone around the table laughing, visiting, and just catching up with each other. Kay truly loved her family unconditionally with all her heart.

Dwight passed away unexpectedly in 2018, which changed many things for Kay. She joined a fun group of ladies, The Red Hatters, played in Bunco and card groups, went to morning exercise, and worked on the election board for many years, all where she made many special friendships.

Kay had a gifted talent as an artist, enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, reading books, or on her computer playing games and researching information. She was a sports enthusiast, especially watching Nebraska volleyball, professional and college football, and baseball.

Kay went through life with resilience, humor, never met a challenge she couldn’t tackle, and settled for less than what she truly deserved. Kay will be missed by seeing her big smile and endless comforting support.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters Beth Caha (Steve Erickson), Hot Springs, SD and Kimberly (Steve) Pedersen, Broken Bow, NE, grandchildren, Justin (Melissa) Caha, Jenessa (Eric) Cruise, Jason Pedersen, Stacy (Dan) Strauss, Lacy (Chad) Gracey, Steve (Nikki) Pedersen, great grandchildren, Avery, Emersyn and Jackson Caha, Faith and Maya Cruise, Gavin, Greysen and Gage Strauss, Jovi and Jocelyn Maginn, Trevor and Tyler Gracey, Reid and Reese Pedersen, many close and extended family members and dear friends.

Preceded in death by her husband Dwight, parents, three brothers, and a nephew.