Gladys Evelyn Nelson, of North Platte, passed away at the age of 99, on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at the North Platte Care Center.

Gladys was born July 9, 1919, in a sod house north of North Platte, NE to John Albertus and Leora Bell Stroud Horne.  She graduated from North Platte High School in 1937.

In 1938, Gladys married Frederick Arthur “Fred” Nelson and to this union two daughters and three sons were born.  The family lived in many different communities including Kearney, NE in 1944, Oregon in 1956 and Gerber, CA in 1957.  Gladys drove a school bus for 22 years and did sewing for J.C. Penny’s, Montgomery Wards and her many friends and family.
In 1982, Gladys and Fred started traveling in their motor home, visiting most of the United States and parts of Canada.  They returned to North Platte during the summer of 1997 and bought a home.
Gladys was a member of Lodgepole Lutheran Church where she was baptized, and attended the First Baptist Church in North Platte.  She was also a member and past president of the Business and Professional Women’s Association in California and a member of the California Schools Employee’s Association.

Gladys liked being a mother and enjoyed life.  In 2000 she wrote about growing up in the Sandhills of Nebraska in her book, Sandhills Living.  The book included recipes and stories of her childhood that included good and bad times, the dry years, dust storms and grasshoppers, bootlegging, cattle rustling and more. She loved real root beer, had numerous hobbies and crafts, and never missed a Golden Games event.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Betty “B.J.” Aldrich, of Chadron; son, Stan (Roseann) Nelson, of Longwood, FL; daughters-in-law, Mary Nelson and Cathy Nelson, of Red Bluff, CA; nieces, Chrissy Muller and Geri (Art) Stroud; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Joe Gifford; sons, Larry and Ron Nelson; half sister, Matilda Sebold Twidwell; grandson, Ronnie Nelson Jr.; and her parents, John and Leora Horne.

Cremation was chosen.  Private family services will be at a later date.  Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.