Richard Elson

Richard William Elson, 67, of Curtis, Nebraska, died June 13, 2021 in North Platte, NE.

Richard William Elson was born May 11, 1954, in McCook, Nebraska to Tom and Merna Elson, Curtis, Nebraska. He came home to sister Beth and brother Dale. Brother Eldon was born in 1962. Dick died June 13th, 2021, at Great Plains Hospital after a short battle with cancer. He died with a smile on his face and a look of peace. He is survived by his special friend Annie Tuma, St. Paul, NE. His sister Beth (Elson) Miller (Bob), Pawnee City, NE. His sister-in-law Lorinda, Curtis, NE. His brother Eldon (Sue), Curtis, NE. He is also survived by his five oldest nieces who he considers like his own children. Jennifer (Miller) Pugsley, Anita (Elson) Blum, Amanda Miller, Jody Elson and Lisa Elson. Along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dale and nephew Travis Miller. Dick was a lifelong resident of Curtis, NE.

Dick didn’t know a stranger. He always had a smile on his face, and he loved to talk. Dick loved history, politics, horses, hunting, farming, ranching, pheasants, buffalo grass, strawberries, choke cherries, Husker Football, and golf. He loved his roping horses, especially Honey. He loved his heeler dogs, especially Corky. Dick belonged to the Curtis roping club and he performed at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo roping calves for many years. Dick loved playing cards with his family and friends and especially loved winning their money. Dick enjoyed holidays where the family would gather to celebrate. He was very patriotic and loved his country. He loved cheering for his Huskers each football season. Dick was very close to his mother Merna and always made sure she had a bouquet of flowers every Mother’s Day. Dick loved riding horses and Dancer was his favorite too. He spent much of his earlier life on the back of the horse even showing his nieces and nephews how to ride. He loved the farm and ranch. He believed in conservation and preservation of the land. He spent time helping in the conservation program LCRA. He also helped with getting the Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course established in Curtis. He was an active sponsor of Pheasants Forever which helps promote the conservation of the pheasant population.

A portion of Dick’s ashes will be spread on his land the first day of Pheasant season to honor the things that mattered most to Dick in his lifetime. Family, traditions, heritage, land preservation/conservation, hunting and friends.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church - Curtis, Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM with Tim Strauser officiating.

Interment will follow in the Curtis Cemetery, Curtis, NE.

Memorials may be given to the Loess Canyons Rangeland Alliance (LCRA) - Tell Deatrich, 13853 East Wells Road, Maywood, NE 69038, Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course, 1101 Arrowhead Meadows Drive, Curtis, NE 69025, or Pheasants Forever, Ryan Pate, PO Box 245 Curtis, NE 69025.