Murland Dwayne "Swede" Nelson

Murland Dwayne “Swede” Nelson, 91 of Lexington passed away Sunday, February 6, 2022 at his home in Lexington.

Swede was born October 5, 1930 on a farm near Westerville, Nebraska to Edward B. and Beulah L. (Glover) Nelson. He grew up in the Ansley area and worked at a gas station to help his parents and graduated from Ansley High School in 1948.  After the death of his father, Swede, his mother and brother then moved to Broken Bow in 1949. He then drove and delivered bread to grocery stores, and one of them was in Purdum where he met Betty. He was united in marriage to Betty R. Simonton on June 6, 1952 in Broken Bow. To this union two children were born; Mickie and Steven. Swede and Betty then moved to Lexington in 1962.

Swede worked for Custer Public Power for seven years and then Dawson Public Power for thirty years.

Swede was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington where he served as a deacon and elder. He was very active in the Thistle Masonic Lodge #61 and the Tri County Shrine where he enjoyed driving the tin Lizzies in many parades. He served on the Lakeside Country Club board two different times and was a former Elks club member and served on the Lexington City Planning Commission for ten years. Swede served in the National Guard for nine years.

Swede enjoyed playing golf, hunting and traveling, Betty and Swede took a cruise to Alaska, traveled to Europe and other destinations. He loved spending time with his two great-grandsons who called him “Old Grandpa.”

He is survived by his wife, Betty of Lexington, son, Steve of Kearney, daughter, Mickie and husband Jim Kircher of Littleton, Colorado, two grandchildren: Jennifer and husband Blake Michelsen and James and wife Melissa Kircher and their two children: Bowen and Lawson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Marvin and his wife Iona Nelson.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Eddie Mariel, officiating. The casket will be open prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, the First Presbyterian Church or the donor’s choice.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com