Audrey M. Nelson

Audrey Mae (Hueftle) Nelson, 89 of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Tabitha Journey House in Lincoln. Celebration of Life services will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, South Street and Sheridan Blvd. in Lincoln with Dr. Andrew McDonald officiating. Burial will be in the Kearney Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The family prefers memorials be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Kearney, music department. A message of condolence may be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Audrey was born to John and Mary Hueftle in Eustis, NE, on April 12, 1924. She graduated from Eustis High School and began classes at Hastings College where she met her future husband Bill Nelson. She worked at Harvard Air Base before moving to New York. She was married to William M. Nelson on April 13, 1944 at Union Theological Seminary on the campus of Columbia University in New York City. While her husband Bill served with the United States Navy, Audrey lived in Los Angeles, CA. Upon Bill’s return from service he and Audrey moved to Hastings where Bill finished his B.A. degree at Hastings College. Audrey and Bill moved to Ord, NE where Bill took on his first teaching assignment in 1946. In 1952 the move was made to Kearney where she lived and raised her family. In January of 2009, she and her husband Bill, moved to Lincoln. In her time in Kearney she served in many capacities. She taught piano and organ to countless students for over 50 years. She also served as organist at the First Presbyterian Church and First Lutheran Church in Kearney. In addition she played for many weddings, funerals and other musical venues over the years. Audrey was the first woman Moderator of the Central Nebraska Presbyterian Churches and served many other service organizations in leadership roles, including PEO. For 25 years Audrey worked for Dr. F.L. Richards. Audrey is remembered for her work with community organizations and received awards from Kearney Sertoma, Kearney Hub Freedom Award, and Nebraska Public Radio. She is also remembered as an accompanist for many of Kearney’s leading musicians. Audrey is survived by her husband, Bill Nelson of Lincoln; her daughter Cynthe Staehr and her husband Keith of Kimball, Sons; Bill and his wife Coni of Lincoln; Scott and his wife Teri of Lincoln; Randy and his wife Jeanne of Seward. Grand children; Jon Staehr of Evans, CO, Joel Staehr and wife Stephanie of Gretna, Jay and wife Kim of Overton, Kyle Nelson and wife Julie of Papillion, Krisa Smith and husband Jeff of Bennington, Tory Kerns and husband Will of Lincoln, TyRee Royal of Lincoln, Britney and Mogdi Nelson of Seward, Jason von Hoff and wife Lisa of Lincoln, Nici Ahrenholz and husband Todd of Willmar, MN, Kylie Wolford and husband Glen of Kearney. Also survived by 21 great grand children Audrey’s strong faith in Jesus Christ carried over into her family and those who knew her. PDF Printable Version

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Audrey M. Nelson

April 12, 1924 - March 30, 2014