Funeral services for Susan Bengston, age 83, of Wausa, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m.  Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Thabor Lutheran Church in Wausa. Richard Bloomquist  PMA will officiate, with burial in Thabor Lutheran Cemetery in Wausa.

The service will be livestreamed on Thabor Lutheran Church's Facebook page. Special honors will be provided by the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard.

Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church. Brockhaus Funeral Home in Wausa is in charge of arrangements. Susan died Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at her residence.

Susan Elane (Nelson) Bengston was born on April 18, 1942, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to  Viola (Holmquist) Nelson and Hazen “Bud” Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at  Wausa Methodist Church. Susan grew up in Wausa, attended and graduated from  Wausa Public School in 1959. Following graduation, she pursued her passion for caring  for others by attending Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, where she  earned her Registered Nursing degree in 1962.

On August 11, 1962, Susan married her high school sweetheart, Herb Bengston, at  Thabor Lutheran Church. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and community, and were blessed with four children: Cristi, Rob, Jane, and Becky. The couple farmed  north of Wausa until 1978, when they moved into town.

Susan dedicated her life to nursing, a profession she deeply loved. She served her  community with compassion and skill at the Wausa Medical Clinic, Osmond General  Hospital, and for 35 years at the Wausa Nursing Home. She will be remembered by  many as a kind, gentle, and deeply caring nurse who touched countless lives.

A devoted member of Thabor Lutheran Church, Susan was active in Dorcas WELCA,  Parish Nurses, and served as co-chair of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Her commitment to  service extended beyond the church, as she was also involved in the Wausa  Community Club, Fairview Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Wausa Smorgasbord, and  Shannon Trail Promoters.

Susan found her greatest joy in her family. She cherished every opportunity to attend  the activities and milestones of her children and grandchildren. She and Herb also  enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends, especially playing cards (she was a  very conservative Bridge partner, unlike Herb).

She is lovingly survived by her husband, Herb; her children: Cristi (Dennis) Munter of  Wausa, Rob (Lori) Bengston of Wausa, Jane (Peter) Streit of Columbus, and Becky  Smith of Ashland; ten grandchildren: Nathan (Haley) Munter of Milford, Jon (Becca)  Munter of Wausa, Kayla (Chase) Rohrer of Bloomfield, Lauren (Danny) Melena of

Crofton, Capp Bengston and Ted Bengston of Yankton, Autumn Wessel of Bellevue,  Liam Streit of Sioux City, Haelen Streit of Vermillion, and Anna Smith of Ashland; and  eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Judy (Mac)  McCutcheon of Phoenix, Arizona; brother-in-law, Jim Halleen of Lovell, Wyoming; and  six nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Norman, in infancy; her parents, Bud and  Viola Nelson; her parents-in-law, Ted and Sybil Bengston; sisters-in-law, Carol Nurse  and Kirsten Halleen; brother-in-law, Rodney Hult; and her grandparents, Carl A. and  Anna Holmquist and Carl and Anna (Dick Kool) Nelson.

Susan’s life was one of quiet strength, unwavering kindness, and deep devotion to  those she loved. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched through her care,  her faith, and her family.