Nels William Belleau

Nels William Belleau, 88, Hill City, Kansas, passed away September 24, 2016 in Hill City, Kansas. Nels was born October 22, 1927 in Damar, Kansas, to William Joseph and Marilda (Brin) Belleau. Nels grew up in Bogue and attended Bogue schools. He was a high school graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays, Kansas. He served two years in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947. October 22, 1953 Nels was united in marriage to Frances Kaiser in Collyer, Kansas on his 26th birthday. Six sons were born to this union: Bill, Sam, Wayne, Rod, Brian and Tim. Frances and Nels celebrated over 62 years of marriage. Nels was a lifelong farmer retiring in 1992. He was also very active in his community and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He served on the Graham County Fair Board, designed belt buckles for the Graham County Rodeo, and was honored as the Grand Marshal for the Graham County Fair Parade. In 1989 he was inducted into the Kansas Fair Board Hall of Fame. Nels was a member of the Co-op Board, the ASCS Committee and the FHA County Committee. Nels served on the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council during the construction of the new church building, and was a 4th Degree Knight. He was a member of the Hill City Elks Lodge Nels was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Ida Bernatt; and brothers-in-law Frank Bernatt and H. Jack Webb. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Frances of Hill City; sons: Bill (Sherry) of Hill City; Sam (Mona) of Norman, Oklahoma; Wayne (Laurie) of Hill City; Rod of Hill City; Brian (Lori) of Berryton, Kansas; Tim (Jeanette) of Hill City; 12 Grandchildren; 14 Great Grandchildren; and one sister Alvena Webb of Medford, Oregon.