Virgil S. Nilson, age 91, of Clinton passed away Monday, November 5, 2012 at Clinton Healthcare and Rehab Center, Clinton. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at Clinton Christian Church, Clinton, Missouri. Visitation will be 1:30-2:00 P.M. prior to services. Inurnment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege, Nebraska. Family suggests memorial contributions to the Samaritan Center, Clinton, Missouri and can be left in care of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton. Fond memories can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Virgil Samuel Nilson was born March 27, 1921 at Anoka, Nebraska, the seventh child of Nils and Annie Wilgus Nilson. At nine months of age, he moved with his family to Tripp County, South Dakota where they lived on a farm that they rented from the Sioux Indians in exchange for pork, beef and cash rent. He attended Hamill, South Dakota Public School through the 10th grade and high school in Gregory, South Dakota graduating in 1938. He farmed with his brother, Edgar, until he enlisted in the United States Army May 29, 1945. He was stationed at Camp Livingston, Louisiana for his basic training and served 10 months as a Military Police in Iceland where he earned his rank of Corporal. After his discharge in November of 1946, he and his brother moved to a ranch near Burton, Nebraska.

He was united in marriage to Lucy Mae Thiede on November 3, 1948. They made their home on their Registered Shorthorn ranch in north central Nebraska where they raised their four children. In 1969, the family moved to Holdrege where he was employed by Holdrege Co-Op Association, as a refined fuels sales representative, retiring in 1986 after 17 years.

He was baptized and confirmed in Grace Lutheran Church of Burton, Nebraska on July 27, 1952 and served several offices during his years as a member of the congregation. He transferred membership to Bethel Lutheran in Holdrege, Nebraska and later to the Disciples of Christ in Clinton, Missouri.

Virgil was a devoted husband an loving father and enjoyed visiting family, friends, and traveling while his health permitted. He had especially fond memories of time spent with his nieces and nephews throughout the years and the time and effort that they took to travel to visit him while he lived in Clinton meant more than words could ever express.

He had been a member of the American Legion Post 0066, Veterans of Foreigh Wars, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and BPO Elks Lodge 2062.

He is survived by his wife Lucy Mae, daughter Paula Nilson and daughter Patricia Nilson and Richard Woods, all of Clinton, Missouri; sister-in-law Madeline Thiede of Spokane, Washington; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his sons Reldon and Wayne; parents Nils and Annie; one sister, Genevieve; and five brothers, Rudolph, Aubrey, Oscar, Edgar, and Arvid.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home.