The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | March 19, 2026

Christine Wait, 83, of Fullerton, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Grand Island Regional Hospital. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City with Pastor Penny Schulz officiating.

Interment was at Bureau Cemetery near Pierce Chapel Church in rural Clarks.

Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Christian Schools.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www. soltwagnerfuneral.com.

Chris was born on August 23, 1942 in Central City, to Howard and Aline (Huxford) Nielsen.

She grew up in Central City and graduated from Central City High School in 1960. She then went to Grand Island Business School, and graduated from there. Chris attended Business School with her mom, which she was always proud of.

On February 24, 1961 Chris was united in marriage to Paul D. Wait at the United Methodist Church in Central City.

To this union were two daughters, Tracey and Patsy. They made their home on the farm where Chris milked Holstein cows and raised Shetland ponies. When they sold their Holstein cattle in 1997, she helped open the Dollar General in Central City, here she remained until Covid, when she retired. Chris always said how she grew up a city girl, but became a farm girl after marrying Paul.

Chris loved her Shetland ponies and collecting memorabilia of Roy Rogers, Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Garth Brooks, and Patrick Mahomes. She also enjoyed cars, especially Buicks since her dad was an owner of the local Buick Dealership in Central City, as well as Case tractors. Her greatest love came from spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.

Chris was a member of Pierce Chapel Church, as well as Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a board member of the American Shetland Pony Club, Steward of Shetland Pony Shows, and secretary of the Nebraska Holstein Association.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Paul of Fullerton; her two daughters, Tracey (Brian) Slagle of Central City and Patsy (Dan) Egeland of Clarks; her grandchildren, Tyler Slagle, Samantha (fiancée Cameron Johnson) Slagle and Zach Egeland; great-granddaughter, Remington Slagle; sisters- in-law, Chris Nielsen of Lexington, South Carolina and Carol Wait of Omaha; nephews, Scott Nielsen and Troy Wait-Kemp; and niece, Marcey (Ron) Wait Rauert.

S he was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Don Nielsen and brother-in-law, Floyd Wait.