Edward Carl Nelson

Edward Carl Nelson, son of Charles and Margaret (Schlict) Nelson, was born February 3, 1924, on a farm west of Atlantic near Walnut, Iowa and died April 13, 2016, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 92 years, 2 months, and 10 days. Ed was the youngest of 9 children and when he was one year old his father left and never returned. Ed and his mother lived with his two uncles for several years until Ed and his mother moved into Atlantic, Iowa.
Ed was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. He attended the Atlantic Community Schools and the Atlantic High School through his sophomore year then was employed as a hired hand for several farmers to help support his mother.
On July 15, 1945, Ed was united in marriage to Valonda Johnson at the old Exira Lutheran Church building in Exira, Iowa. They rented farmland for a short time then in 1947 they moved onto Valonda’s parents’ farm near Exira. Ed and Valonda worked hard operating the farm. They grew row crops, milked cows, raised cattle, hogs, and chickens. Over the years they rented more farmland and also had an egg route which they operated for over 25 years. They lived on the farm for over 54 years before retiring and moving to Exira in 2001.
Ed was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. He served on the church council and was an usher for over 50 years.
Preceding him in death was his mother; two infant sisters; his other brothers and sisters Bob and wife Louise Nelson, Margaret and husband Robert Pierson, Mike and wife Ida Nelson, John Nelson, Victor and wife Cathalene Nelson, and Emma Nelson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Chris and Mary Johnson; his sister-in-law Ethel and husband Leo Kragelund and his niece Felistis Colleen Benson.
Survivors include his wife, of over 70 years, Valonda Nelson of Exira, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews including Dennis Nelson and family, Douglas Nelson and family, Barbara Devereaux and family, Jolene Anderson and family, Jill Henson and family, and Sarah Aguilar and family; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira. The honorary casket bearer will be Franklin Andersen, Rodney Harris, and Matt Mills. The casket bearers will be Dennis Nelson, Douglas Nelson, John Osvald, Jerry Kelly, Gail Petersen, Vincent Anderson, and Lyle Drees. The family will meet with friends Saturday morning at the Exira Lutheran Church prior to the service.