Elaine M. Nielsen
OGALLALA — Elaine M. Nielsen, 68, of Ogallala, died Feb. 17, 1999, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
She was born Feb. 18, 1930, in Ogallala to Arnold and Elvina Berry McKeag of Arthur County. She grew up in Arthur County, attending a one-room country schoolhouse before attending the Ogallala High School, graduating in 1947. Following her graduation she attended the Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan. She was the society editor of the Keith County News until marrying Gene Nielsen at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala on June 1, 1950. The couple made their home on the family ranch east of Ogallala.
In addition to being a ranch wife and mother, she was an author and historian. She wrote the book published for Ogallala’s centennial in 1984 titled “Ogallala: A Century on the Trail.” She edited the Hershey centennial book published in 1992. She also wrote for local newspapers, the Western Outlook and the North Platte Telegraph. She received several state and national awards for her work.
In 1994, she ran for the 47th district seat of the Nebraska Legislature on a platform of tax reform.
Mrs. Nielsen was a very active member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, serving as a church organist and teaching religious education classes as well as being a member of the Altar Society for many years.
She was a charter member of the Ogallala Regional Arts Council. She served on the Keith County Historical Society board and as Republican Party chairman for Keith County. She was a member of the Nebraska Press Women and the Nebraska Writer’s Guild.
She will be remembered for her devotion to her family and lifelong service to her community.
Survivors include her mother; her husband; three daughters, Melody (Kelly) McGowen of Columbus, Kristen (Tom) Macdissi of Fort Calhoun and Elsie (Kevin) Lockhart of Loveland, Colo.; two sons, Martin (Jackie) of Loveland and Matt (Laura) of Ogallala; four sisters, Dorothy and Dorinne McKeag of Ogallala, Gail (Jim) Anderson of Tensleep, Wyo., and Mary Ann (Harlan) Anderberg of Arthur; a brother, Delbert (Carolyn) McKeag of Ogallala; two aunts, Ruth (Stanley) Snyder of Sun Lakes, Ariz. and Hazel Geisbauer of Palmdale, Calif.; an uncle, John (Alice) Berry of Ogallala; 12 grandchildren, James McGowan of Omaha, Anthony McGowan of Columbus, Nicholas, Monica and Erica Nielsen of Loveland, Lucas and Jenny Nielsen of Ogallala, Adams, Anthony, Elena and Theresa Macdissi of Fort Calhoun and Phoebe Lockhart of Ogallala.
She was preceded in death by her father and an infant son, John.
A memorial has been established.
Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with Father John Schlaf as celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Gubser Funeral Home in Ogallala.