Judith Junine Bauer Nelson ("Judi") was born on May 4, 1940, to Clarence and Esther Christensen Bauer in Minden, NE and passed away on July 3, 2025, in Wichita, KS. Judi grew up in Minden and graduated from Minden High School in 1958. She attended college at Hastings College where she majored in Music Education and received a master's degree in speech from University of Nebraska - Kearney.

Judi was a music and band teacher at multiple schools in Nebraska including Sidney, Marquette, Giltner, and Grand Island District 3.

Judi married Dennis Nelson on May 9, 1964, in Las Vegas, NV and they had two sons, Kirk J Nelson and Brock D. Nelson. They made their home in Lincoln and Kearney before moving to Grand Island in 1972. Judi moved to Wichita, KS in 2022.

She was a member of the First Christian Church where she served as the choir director for over 25 years. She was active in numerous activities including Grand Island City Singers, Grand Island Little Theater, Grand Island Concert Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Stuhr Museum, the Nebraska State Fair, and the Harvest of Harmony Alumni Band. In 2022, Judi was the Harvest of Harmony parade grand marshal. Judi also enjoyed traveling with friends and having her grandchildren over to her house.

She is survived by her son, Brock and his wife Dorothy of Wichita, KS, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her son, Kirk, and her brother, Larry Bauer.

There will be a visitation at the First Christian Church in Grand Island on July 22, 2025, from 5-7pm. A graveside funeral will be at the Minden Cemetery on July 23, 2025, at 10am with Kay Tira officiating. Memorials are kindly suggested in lieu of flowers to the Stuhr Museum Foundation or the Alzheimer Association. Craig Funeral Home in Minden is assisting the family.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .