Judith L. Nielsen, 83, of Fremont, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Judy was born in Holdrege on July 20th, 1942, to Lyle and Elnor McKinney. Judy spent the majority of her childhood in Orleans growing up the middle child of three. She moved with her family to Fremont during high school. She met her future husband, Jerry, at Phil’s Drive-In while working there as a carhop. She graduated from Fremont High School.
Judy married Jerry Nielsen in 1959 at Fremont First United Methodist Church. They lived on a farm southeast of Fremont where Jerry farmed until his retirement in 2000. Their oldest son, Tom, was born on their first wedding anniversary. Judy was an active farm wife, frequently preparing meals for hired hands during busy irrigation and harvest seasons, working in her garden or on various craft projects, as well as coordinating her children’s activities and events. She was rarely idle.
No one ever left Judy’s home without a full stomach. Cooking food and feeding people were her passions – which Jerry always enjoyed. Many of her meals included vegetables and produce from her large garden. Her kids were commonly handed a bucket and told to come back when it was full of green beans, tomatoes, cherries…. Whatever she was planning to cook or can next.
Bowling was a lifelong source of enjoyment for Judy. She held many offices in many leagues over the span of her bowling years. She was Past President of the women’s bowling association, Past President of the 600 Club, among others, and was inducted into the Fremont Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1985. Judy enjoyed many annual trips with her bowling buddies to state and national bowling tournaments. She always said bowling was a 50-year adventure for her.
Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Jerry, of Fremont, her son Thomas (Tami) Nielsen of Fremont, and her daughter Annette Nielsen of Omaha. Grandchildren Ashlee Hall and her children Norah, Baylor and Shepard of Bennington, Amber (Chris) Gralheer and their children Blakely, Lennon and Lincoln of Fremont, and Dylan (Kara) Nielsen and their children Brecken and Colt of Fremont. Brother Don (Judy) McKinney of Louisville, sister Sharon Taylor of Nickerson, and sister-in-law Carol (Loren) Kastanek of Omaha, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her infant son, Scott Allen, her parents, brother-in-law Michael Taylor, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Barbara and Bill Schroedter.
There is no viewing. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026,at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel. A celebration of life will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Fremont First United Methodist Church.
Memorials are suggested to the Fremont First United Methodist Church or the Tangier Shrine Transportation Fund.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com