Wauneta Rae Nitzel

Wauneta Rae Nitzel, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 4, 2025.

Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Grace Life Church in Hastings with Pastor Garrett Watkins officiating. A private burial will be held at the Shelton Cemetery in Shelton. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. with the family present Friday, June 6, at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Evangelical Free Church, Hastings Literacy Program, or the Hastings Highland Park Arboretum. 

Wauneta, daughter of Lester and Lois Ramsey, was born at home in Shelton, NE on December 2, 1935 and raised on her parents’ farm. She graduated from Shelton High School in 1954 where she enjoyed pursuits in music, drama and sewing, then went on to study elementary education at Hastings College. 

Wauneta married Dr. Dale Nitzel of Central City, NE in 1958, with a reception in the yard of her parent’s farmhouse. She taught elementary school before the birth of their children, then later enjoyed teaching English as a Second Language, relishing her relationships with friends of many nationalities. She also served in the Christian Education department at Grace Methodist Church. 

Wauneta and Dale made their home in Hastings and were blessed with four children: Scott, Grant, Carmen and Greg, along with seventeen beloved grandchildren. 

Wauneta loved people and always enjoyed hosting friends and family around the dinner table at the Nitzel home in Hastings. She had many active interests, including gardening, traveling, writing, painting, refinishing antiques and doting on her grandchildren. 

Actively involved as members of the Evangelical Free Church, both Wauneta and Dale also volunteered in various capacities, always willing to support their community. 

Wauneta is preceded in death by her parents, Lois and Lester Ramsey and her husband of 67 years, Dr. Dale Nitzel. She is survived by her children and their families: Scott Nitzel and his wife Merideth, Grant Nitzel and his wife Deb, Carmen Kennedy and her husband Bryan, and Greg Nitzel and his wife Jen, along with seventeen grandchildren – Kai, Seth, and Liz Nitzel; Bethany, Hudson, Ramsey, Jonny, Gracie, Beric, Berin Nitzel and Laurel Stoncius and Holly Essink; Rachel and Drew Kennedy and Nicole Hunka; Audrey Hartwell and Calvin Nitzel.