Lane R. Nansel

Lane R. Nansel, 89 of Kearney passed away Friday, May 30, 2025 at Kearney Region Medical Center in Kearney. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at First Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Michelle Holley Carlson and Rev. Dr. Rick Carlson officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway, NE. Visitation with reception will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be live streamed through the church website at https://firstlutherankearney.org/watch-live/ Lane R. Nansel was born on April 7, 1936, in Arnold, Nebraska to Charles Godfrey Nansel and Mildred “Kitty” Irene (Mason) Nansel. He was one of four siblings, an older brother, Larry; and two younger sisters, Linda Lawrence and LeeAnn Young. After living on two properties outside of Callaway, the family purchased their forever home -- a farm south of town when Lane was 10 years old. The family ran a dairy cow operation and supplied milk to the community 365 days a year. After high school, Lane began a career in banking at the Seven Valleys State Bank in Callaway, while also assisting with the dairy operations and delivery of milk. It was at this time he was set up with a young woman, Karen Keilig, on a double date by his good friend. His buddy’s girlfriend had brought a classmate back to Callaway for the weekend. The double date resulted in a marriage and three children, Vickie, Debbie and Mike, within four years. In those years, the family lived in multiple places in and around Callaway. In 1961, Lane had an opportunity to join the Nebraska State Banking Department as an examiner. His position took him and the family to Kearney, Valentine, and Ogallala. In 1966, he was offered a position with the Abbott Banks of Western Nebraska, and the family settled in Alliance. Lane was an active member of the Lion’s Club in Alliance and spent hours planning for and assisting with the Special Olympics each year. He was also a member of the Lutheran Church serving as Treasurer for a number of years. He enjoyed attending school events and participating in many community activities representing the bank. After losing Karen to cancer, he struck up a friendship with Barbara (Mote) Dietrich which resulted in marriage, adding two adult children, Dan and Tami, to the family. Over the years, Lane had progressed to Vice President at the Abbott banks and served on the Board of Directors at Alliance and Hemingford. Circumstances at the bank presented him with an ethical dilemma which triggered a move to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming and a career change conducting financial examinations at multiple banking institutions in Western Nebraska and Eastern Wyoming. Ultimately, retirement came, and he and Barb relocated to Kearney, Nebraska. Retirement in Kearney presented him with many opportunities to stay active. He was heavily involved with the Elks Club, assisting with youth activities related to golf and the annual hoops shoot competition, as well as serving as Treasurer and on the Board. He also worked with a local contractor building houses. He also helped a friend who owned a cab company by driving taxis for three years. He always had a good story to tell after a day of driving the cab. He and Barb moved to the Kearney Kinship Pointe retirement community in 2018. There one of his first goals was to know the name of every resident and staff member – nearly 120 people. He soon accomplished that goal and became involved with calling bingo, leading card bingo, making presentations to the residents on Nebraska, playing pitch, bridge and cribbage, managing the televisions for game days, acting as a mentor to new residents, and generally assisting wherever he was needed. During Lane’s life, he was always known as someone who would lend a hand with no strings attached. He was generous with his time and always willing to lend an ear. He was always surprised that he was given the opportunity to live such a long life. He will be missed by the many people who knew him. Lane was preceded in death by wives Karen M. Keilig and Barbara (Mote) Dietrich. Lane is survived by his children Vickie Macafee (Dale), Debbie Dobesh (Ronald), and Michael Nansel (Lora); stepchildren Dan Dietrich and Tami McNamee (Mike). He is grandfather to 11 grandchildren including Ryan Dobesh, Katie Breunig, Kasey McBride, Jesse Nansel, Lisa Macafee, Tammy Williams, Mandy Yearling, Justin Dietrich, Brittany Dietrich, Kaylee Lansden and Kendra Mellette; 16 greatgrandchildren; and three great greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda and LeeAnn, and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his brother Larry, sisters-in-law Roberta Nansel, Donna Axmann, Sande Markoff, and brothers-in-law Kelly Young, Ed Axmann, and Dick Markoff. Memorials are suggested to the City of Callaway Parks and Recreation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Lane R. Nansel

April 7, 1936 - May 30, 2025