Steven Ray Kelso, 62, of Central City, died on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Central City with Pastor Mark Hartley officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23rd from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date. The family requests that everyone who is a first responder or a student of one of Steve’s EMT classes to wear their uniform to the visitation or memorial service. They also request everyone else to wear casual or Husker attire.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral. com.

Steve was born on July 9, 1963 to Raymond and Helene (Jacobs) Kelso in Lincoln. He grew up in Central City and graduated from Central City High School in 1981. He then began working for Bonnavilla in 1982, and remained there until 2007. On December 14, 1985, Steve was united in marriage to Wanda Zornes. To this union were two children, Alyssa and Kristopher. In 2007, Steve started working for the State of Nebraska, with the Housing and Recreational Vehicle Division. He eventually worked his way up to become the Director of that department. Steve was also an EMT and CPR Instructor, as well as serving on the Central City Ambulance and Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Steve was then united in marriage to Elizabeth Rogers on March 27, 2026. They had one daughter, Mila Jo. Steve remained active within the community until recently when his health no longer allowed him to.

Steve was a former director of the Central City Ambulance, he also was an EMT, volunteer firefighter, and a member of the Sportsman’s Club in Central City. Steve enjoyed camping, working on vehicles, riding his motorcycle, and watching NASCAR. He was also a huge Nebraska Cornhuskers and Minnesota Vikings fan and loved to decorate for any holiday.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Elizabeth of Central City; his children, Alyssa (Jonathan) Schafer of Central City, Kristopher (Rachel Jilg) Kelso of Grand Island, and Mila Jo Kelso of Central City; his stepson, Dominic Kuszak of Central City; his siblings, Vicki (Allen) Smith of Papillion, Margaret (Rick) Polzkill of Papillion, Pamela (Craig) Tunks of Central City, Vaughn (Teri) Kelso of Hickman; his grandsons, Tallan Kelso and Beckham Schafer; and many nieces and nephews.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Wanda Kelso; his brother, Vernon Kelso; and step-father, Jim Larsen.

The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | April 23, 2026