Rudolph Edward Nelson, age 76 of Scottsbluff, passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, February 4, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 10:00a.m., Tuesday, February 9th, at Jolliffe Funeral Home in Scottsbluff, with Pastor Lyle Hinebauch officiating. Cremation will then take place at the funeral home. A memorial has been established in care of the family to be designated at a later date. Friends who wish may visit the funeral home Monday, February 8th, from 3:00-7:00p.m. Jolliffe Funeral Home of Scottsbluff is in charge of arrangements.

He was born the son of Rudolph Edward Nelson, Sr. and Bertha Eileen (Lowry) Nelson on October 24, 1933 in Lyman, NE. After graduating from Lyman High School in 1952, he joined the Army Paratroopers through 1954. He then attended junior college in Scottsbluff where he earned an Associated Degree in Arts, and then attended Berkley College in California. After settling back down in Scottsbluff, Eddie worked at Lockwood's in Gering where he met his wife Judith Joan Ott in August 1960. They were wed on February 1, 1963. Through this union they raised six children. In 1977, he moved the Lyman Depot to Scottsbluff, which is now known as the Whistle Stop Cafe, which opened for business in April 1999. Junior's favorite pastime included visiting with friends, relatives and Whistle Stop patrons and employees. In 1962 Rudy started a mink ranch, just west of Riverside Zoo, and also raised ferrets, white German Shepherds and Persian cats. He was known as an animal lover. As a youngster, he had a pet raccoon and a skunk, amongst many others. Eddie also worked at the COOP Oil Refineray for 19 years, where he was severely burned on December 31, 1973. After recovery, he continued raising mink until 1990. He also worked at Great Western Sugar for 21 years until he retired in 2007. Rudy was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Paul Eugene (Nancy) Nelson of Glenwood Springs, CO, Rick Dean Nelson of Ft. Worth, TX, Shawnda Leigh (Tim) Mattley of Mesquite, NV, Skylur Lee Nelson of Scottsbluff, Evonne LaDawn (Tee) Meyers of Lincoln and Jenell Lurye (Brandon) Lentz of Coralville, IA; brothers, Gayle Nelson of Torrance, CA and Charles Nelson of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Jessica (Malcom) Ong, James Nelson, Ethan Reeve, Krystal and Josh Kinney, Jerhett Meyers, and Payton Lentz; four great-grandchildren; aunt Betty and Uncle Cecil Sinner and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. His parents, nephew, several aunts and uncles, and some cousins preceded him in death.