John William Nelson

John William Nelson, the son of William and Mabel Salveson Nelson, was born March 30, 1929, at the Nelson Family farm southeast of Brayton, Iowa and died April 5, 2014, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 85 years, and 6 days. John was baptized at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa and confirmed at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton, Iowa. He attended rural school Exira #9 in Exira Township, Audubon County, Iowa, and then graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1947. He attended Iowa State College where he studied agriculture. John then returned home to help operate the family farm. On June 18, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lucille Mildred Brewer at the Disciple Christian Church in Atlantic, Iowa. They lived on and operated the Nelson family farm where they grew row crops and raised livestock. While farming he also was a carpenter. From 1966 to 1973 he was employed at the Phillip 66 station at the Valley followed by employment at American Buildings. In 1973, they purchased the first large round baler in the area and for the next 19 years, he baled hay for many of the farmers in a five county area. In 2010, they retired from farming and moved into Exira, Iowa. Later he moved to the Exira Care Center on May 11, 2011. John was a member of the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa. He was a past member of the Exira Lions Club. They enjoyed camping and were members of the Audubon County Travelers since 1978. They attended many local, state, district, and national conventions. They especially enjoyed camping with the grandchildren. He was an avid blood donor and would travel to different blood drives donating over 10 gallons of blood. He enjoyed woodworking, woodcarving, fishing, hunting, and raised a large garden after he retired. Preceding him in death were his parents: W.A. and Mabel Nelson; his parents-in-law: Harry and Pearl Brewer; his brother-in-law Arlo Heggen; his sister-in-law Jana Brewer; and his nephew Richard Heggen. Survivors include his wife Lucille Nelson of Exira, Iowa; his children: Duane and wife Mel Nelson of Casey, Iowa; Lavonne and husband Neil Schroeter of Brayton, Iowa; Kevin and wife Candis Nelson of Brayton; Carol and husband Monti Miller of Woodward, Iowa; his daughter-in-law: Janet and husband Fred Klute of Atlantic, Iowa; his grandchildren: Sarah and husband Jamie Zach of Exira, Iowa; Eric Nelson and fiancé Mindy Hall of Walnut, Iowa; Leslie and husband Matt Irwin of Omaha, Nebraska; Trevor and wife Rebecca Schroeter of Aurora, Oregon; Marissa Miller of Windsor Heights, Iowa; Molli Miller of West Des Moines, Iowa; Brady Miller of Woodward; his step grandchildren: Natalie and husband Steve Ritter of Atlantic; and Wade and wife Lindsay Harris of Des Moines, Iowa; his great grandchildren: Nelson Zach, Meghan Zach, and Adrian Zach all of Exira; Lane Nelson and Ty Nelson both of Walnut; and Luci Ann Irwin of Omaha; his sisters: Edna Heggen of Huxley, Iowa; Olive and husband Charles Ferguson of Lake View, Iowa; his brother-in-law Lyle Brewer of Atlantic; his step great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Oakfield Cemetery east of Brayton, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Wednesday morning at 10:00 A.M. prior to the 11:00 A.M. service at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.