Lucy Mae Nilson
Lucy Mae Nilson, 98, of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. Graveside services will be held Friday, May 29, 2026 at Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege, Nebraska with Tony Hale officiating.
Lucy Mae Nilson was born May 24, 1927 in Burton, Nebraska, the third child of Otto and Jessie Thiede. Lucy spent her childhood on a Registered Shorthorn Ranch in Keya Paha County, attending a one room country school through the eighth grade, graduating from Keya Paha High School with the class of 1944. After graduation she taught rural Schools in Keya Paha County Schools for three years.
She was confirmed into Grace Lutheran Church, Burton, Nebraska on June 13, 1943 and was an active member of LWML, Sunday School Superintendent, teacher and spent many years as the church Pianist. She transferred her membership to Bethel of Holdrege, Nebraska in 1974. Her church was always a very important part of her life.
She was united in marriage to Virgil S. Nilson November 3, 1948. They made their home near Burton on a Shorthorn Ranch where they raised their four children until moving to Holdrege, Nebraska in August, 1969. She always sewed for her family and after moving to Holdrege she sewed for the public and did alterations for Shaffer Cleaners. She was employed by the Educational Service Unit #11 in 1974 in the Media Department. She enjoyed the contact with the teachers, and the public where she felt it helped to widen her horizons. She retired in 1991.
Her church and family always came first for Lucy, trying to help a family member or friend whenever she could. She was very proud of the shelves of canned produce she could raise and can from her garden each year along with her yard and flowers which she so enjoyed.
She moved with her husband Virgil to Clinton, Missouri in October 2003 to be closer to their daughter Pat.
She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil, sons Reldon and Wayne Nilson, parents Otto & Jessie Thiede and two brothers Earl and Edwin Thiede.
She is survived by her two daughters Paula and Pat Nilson, both of Clinton, Missouri.
Services are under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
