Everett Russell Nelson

Everett Russell Nelson, son of Leroy and Edna (Jensen) Nelson, was born September 9, 1925 on the family farm near Fiscus, Iowa in Shelby County and died on March 4, 2020 at The Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 5 months and 25 days.

Everett was baptized and became a member of Merrill’s Grove Baptist Church of Fiscus at the age of 13. He grew up on the family farm in Fiscus and on March 2, 1945 entered the U.S. Army. His rank was Sergeant and duties included lineman and battalion mail clerk. He was honorably discharged on October 17, 1946, and he later served in the Army National Guard. On April 24, 1947, Everett was united in marriage to Isabelle Alverta Paulson in Clarks Grove, Minnesota. To this union, three children were born: Rodney Allyn, Pamela Sue, and Calvin Lynn.

Everett and Isabelle farmed in Shelby County until 1953 when they moved into the Memorial Building in Audubon, Iowa, where Everett was employed as custodian. After about three years, they moved into their home on East Division Street. Everett became Deputy Sheriff for Audubon County in 1958, serving for six years, and then Deputy State Fire Marshall for the State of Iowa for the next six years. He also worked for Coast to Coast stores and Emmert Manufacturing in sales. Everett and Isabelle owned and operated Nelson True Value Hardware and Nelson Appliance. For his last 17 years of employment, Everett worked as the Director of Veterans Affairs of Audubon County.

Everett was very active in Merrill’s Grove Baptist Church, serving as chairman of the church board. He became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon in 1990. He was also very active in the community and state, serving as Lion’s Club District Governor, director and officer of the Audubon Lion’s Club, chairman of the Fiscus Centennial Committee and Fiscus Community Club, member of Audubon Fire and Rescue for 20 years, and member of the American Legion. In retirement, Everett volunteered for Audubon County Veterans Affairs transporting veterans to and from medical facilities in Des Moines and Omaha. He enjoyed his family, fishing, camping, photography, electronics, cooking and woodworking.

Preceding Everett in death were his wife, Isabelle Alverta; his parents, Leroy and Edna Nelson; his daughter, Pauline Ann; his brothers, Lloyd Nelson and Merle Nelson; his sisters: Grace Paulson, Ruth Dinesen, and Lucille Paulsen; his brothers-in-law: Ivan Paulson, Philip Paulson, Earl Paulson, Henry Paulsen, Martin Dinesen, Charlie Swansen, and Ares Dinesen; his sisters-in-law: Elvira Paulson, Lois Paulson, Marie Paulson, Mabel Paulson, Helen Nelson, Elaine Nelson, and Ethel Nelson.

Survivors include his children: Rodney and wife Marie Nelson of Waterford, Virginia; Pamela and husband Bob Hamburger of Omaha, Nebraska; and Calvin and wife Paula Nelson of Madrid, Iowa; his grandchildren: Cyndi and husband Travis Ruebelmann, Simon and wife Mari Nelson, Ryan and wife Linda Nelson, Angela and husband Seth Peterson, Garin and wife Molly Hamburger, Adam Nelson, Cassie and husband Dustin Wright, and Ben Nelson; his great-grandchildren: Jana Peterson, Gage Peterson, Ava Isabelle Peterson, Everett Nelson, Madison Nelson, Isa Ruebelmann, Brody Wright, Jacen Nelson, Kinley Wright, Rose Ruebelmann, Lilly Hamburger, Mercedes Nelson, Fynley Hamburger, James Nelson, and Ben Goedharts; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

The family will greet friends at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon on Friday, March 6, 2020 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kathy Kluis at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. Interment will be in Merrill’s Grove Cemetery in Fiscus, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers will be the Audubon Lion’s Club. Casket bearers will be Simon Nelson, Seth Peterson, Ryan Nelson, Adam Nelson, Travis Ruebelmann, Ben Nelson, Garin Hamburger, and Dustin Wright.