Obituary for Glen Weldon Nelson
***UPDATE***
Memorial Service
Saturday, August 14, 2021
10:00 am Visitation
11:00 am Service
De Soto Baptist Church
8655 Copeland Way
De Soto, Kansas 66018
Glen Weldon Nelson, 83, De Soto, Kansas passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. Private family graveside service will be at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, Shawnee, Kansas on May 8, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at De Soto Baptist Church, De Soto, Kansas at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to De Soto Baptist Church, Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, The Gardner Edgerton Education School Foundation, USD 232 Education Foundation or Friends of St. Anne’s Girls’ School both in Memory of Glen Nelson. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas 66030 (913) 856-7111.
Glen was born in Sylvia, Kansas on September 7, 1936 to Clifford Chester and Bertha Alice (Harmon) Nelson. He graduated from Nickerson High School in 1954 and joined the United States Army. After returning home from the Army, Glen attended Hutchinson Jr. College to earn an Associate of Arts degree. He then graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and University of Kansas with a Masters of Education in Administration. Glen married Ruby Elaine Radke on July 30, 1960 in Hutchinson, Kansas. They lived in Manhattan, Olathe, Shawnee, Overland Park, and then 46 years in De Soto. Glen worked in education from 1962-1997 for the Shawnee Mission School District as a teacher, Athletic Director and Vice-Principal. He then moved on to Gardner Edgerton High School as Principal from 1997-2001. Glen was a member of the De Soto Baptist Church for 46 years, De Soto School Board, Water Board for Rural Water District #1, City of De Soto Planning Commission, and Lawrence American Legion. He had a love for sports, yard work, camping and old tractors. Glen was an avid KU basketball fan, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. He was devoted to all of his grandchildren’s activities and was their #1 fan. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and community.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents and brother Carol Nelson. He is survived by his wife Ruby of the home; daughters Tari (Alex) Thompson, Yukon, Oklahoma and Tami (Pat) Reeves, De Soto, Kansas; brother Wayne (Joyce) Nelson, Peoria, Arizona and grandchildren: Nathan Cardiff (Megan Fritz), Nicholas and Noah Cardiff, Gretchyn (Chris) Allen, Kyndel (Sam) Hill, Nelson, Graycee and Faythe Reeves, Lindsay (Colte) Davis and Austin (Aryel) Thompson; ten nieces and nephews; and cousins.
Memorial Service
Saturday, August 14, 2021
10:00 am Visitation
11:00 am Service
De Soto Baptist Church
8655 Copeland Way
De Soto, Kansas 66018
Glen Weldon Nelson, 83, De Soto, Kansas passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. Private family graveside service will be at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, Shawnee, Kansas on May 8, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at De Soto Baptist Church, De Soto, Kansas at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to De Soto Baptist Church, Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, The Gardner Edgerton Education School Foundation, USD 232 Education Foundation or Friends of St. Anne’s Girls’ School both in Memory of Glen Nelson. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas 66030 (913) 856-7111.
Glen was born in Sylvia, Kansas on September 7, 1936 to Clifford Chester and Bertha Alice (Harmon) Nelson. He graduated from Nickerson High School in 1954 and joined the United States Army. After returning home from the Army, Glen attended Hutchinson Jr. College to earn an Associate of Arts degree. He then graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and University of Kansas with a Masters of Education in Administration. Glen married Ruby Elaine Radke on July 30, 1960 in Hutchinson, Kansas. They lived in Manhattan, Olathe, Shawnee, Overland Park, and then 46 years in De Soto. Glen worked in education from 1962-1997 for the Shawnee Mission School District as a teacher, Athletic Director and Vice-Principal. He then moved on to Gardner Edgerton High School as Principal from 1997-2001. Glen was a member of the De Soto Baptist Church for 46 years, De Soto School Board, Water Board for Rural Water District #1, City of De Soto Planning Commission, and Lawrence American Legion. He had a love for sports, yard work, camping and old tractors. Glen was an avid KU basketball fan, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. He was devoted to all of his grandchildren’s activities and was their #1 fan. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and community.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents and brother Carol Nelson. He is survived by his wife Ruby of the home; daughters Tari (Alex) Thompson, Yukon, Oklahoma and Tami (Pat) Reeves, De Soto, Kansas; brother Wayne (Joyce) Nelson, Peoria, Arizona and grandchildren: Nathan Cardiff (Megan Fritz), Nicholas and Noah Cardiff, Gretchyn (Chris) Allen, Kyndel (Sam) Hill, Nelson, Graycee and Faythe Reeves, Lindsay (Colte) Davis and Austin (Aryel) Thompson; ten nieces and nephews; and cousins.