Lucas J. Nelson, 42, of Minden, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Kearney County Health Services in Minden. Celebration of life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden with Rev. Donald Hunzeker and PMA Julie Schmidt. The service will be streamed to the church's YouTube page. Private family interment will be held prior to the service at the Minden Cemetery. A memorial book signing with family present will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Lucas' honor are kindly suggested to Minden Volunteer Fire Department, Minden Police Department, Bethany Lutheran Church, or Kearney County Health Services Foundation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Lucas John Nelson was born in Minden to Roy Nelson and Karen (Schwartz) Nelson on November 13, 1983. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden, Nebraska. He attended Minden Public Schools and graduated in 2002.

In high school he participated in football, basketball, golf, and band. After high school he attended DeVry University in Denver, Colorado, and Naropa College in Boulder, Colorado. At Naropa he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a degree and license in yoga. Over the years Lucas had mastered playing the drums starting in high school. While at Naropa, he took several music classes in addition to those in his majors. He was requested to accompany many music majors presenting their final productions.

While living in Colorado, he worked at Abraxis Glass and Black's Glass, installing glass windows and doors, shower doors and creating stained glass windows. He also worked at Gibbs Bagels and Movie Gallery.

Lucas moved back to Minden in 2021 where he lived until the time of his death. While in Minden, he taught yoga at Zen Den and Life Force Yoga in Kearney and for a counseling service in Holdrege, Nebraska. He also moved back to help out his family's business. In addition, he volunteered at the SAFE Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

He was a creative, sensitive, and spiritual person. He studied and read about many spiritual leaders. He enjoyed reading all sorts of nonfiction books and growing plants. He loved cooking, trying all sorts of new recipes and creating his own. He had a knack for picking out wonderful dogs and cats for pets. His last dog was a Shiba Inu named Lily who was his constant companion. He loved and adored his nieces and nephews, and they loved their Uncle Lucas, the Tickle Monster. They always wanted him to come and play. He was part of many trips to the Children's Museum in Kearney, the Big Apple Fun Center, the zoo, the park, and picking up the children from school. His family was important to him. He had a great sense of humor and was a kind and caring person.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents on both sides of the family, Jack and Jacqueline Schwartz and Runt (Ernest) and Marie Nelson; his uncle, Augie Nelson; aunt, Erna (Nelson) and uncle, Randy Horine; and cousin, Anthony Blum.

He leaves to mourn his parents Roy and Karen Nelson of Minden; brother, John Nelson and wife Erin Kenney of Houston, Texas, and their children Cameron Nelson, Elizabeth (Nelson) and Chase Powers of Dallas, Texas, and son William; and Graham Nelson of Seattle, Washington; sister, Kirsten (Nelson) and Nick Thom and their sons Maverick and Lucky and daughters Banks and Jameson of Minden; and a host of wonderful, supportive, loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

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