Galen Lynn Nilson

Galen L. Nilson, 71, of St. Paul, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 5, 2023, at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The Rev. John Doolittle will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery at St. Paul.

Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Memorials are suggested to Right to Life.

Galen was born on Oct. 8, 1952, at Winner, SD, the son of Edgar and Edith (Pedersen) Nilson. He grew up in Burton, NE, where he attended country schools and was a 1970 graduate of Keya Paha County High School in Springview, NE.

He was united in marriage to Dixie D. Dreyer on July 31, 1971, in Winner, SD. The couple lived and ranched in the Burton area and raised their three children.

In 1999, the couple moved to Kearney where he worked at Huss Livestock Market as the yard foreman for 20 plus years. The couple moved to St. Paul in 2019 to be closer to their children. He continued to work several days a week at Huss Livestock Market until recently he had to give it up due to his health.

He enjoyed helping his children on their ranches and farms. He could build the straightest fences around!

He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul.

For Galen his grandchildren and livestock were his life!

He is survived by his wife and love of his life, Dixie of St. Paul; his children and spouses, Clint and Wanda Nilson of Wolbach, Misty and Jeff Bexten of Grand Island; and Dustin and Sarah Nilson of St. Paul; ten grandchildren, Emma and Cody Heroux, Jacquelyn Nilson and Dillon Boal, Laine Nilson, Mollie and Sam Schrage, Maggie Bexten, Darrin Bexten, Johannah Nilson, Carly Nilson, Coy Nilson and Clay Nilson; two great-grandchildren, Killian Heroux and Deklyn Heroux; siblings and spouses, Margo Dawson of Madison, Myron and Barb Nilson of Springview, Howard Nilson of Springview, Karla Luse of Wewela, SD, Cindy and Ted Cook of Crystal, MN, DeEtta and David Grooms of Eddyville, and Holly and Mike Moore of Casper, WY.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Leonard Fowler; in laws, Howard and Bonnie Dreyer; grandchildren, Lance Edgar Nilson and Claire Kaydee Nilson; great-granddaughter, Harlow Lynn Schrage; infant sister, Debra Nilson; infant brothers, Darwin Nilson and Darrin Nilson; brothers-in-law, Darrell Dawson and Terry Luse; and sister-in-law, DeeAnne Nilson; and nephew, Trent Turnquist.