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Richard "Dick" Nelsen
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Richard Nelsen Obituary
Born on Oct. 22, 1944, in Exira, to Folmer "Pete" and Dorthea (Rasmussen) Nelsen, Dick grew up in Wiota and graduated from Anita High School in 1963. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965 and served in Vietnam with the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, earning the rank of Specialist 5.
On June 17, 1967, he married Glennda Lee. Together, they built a life in Atlantic and Anita, filled with love, family, and hard work. In 1970, Dick co-founded N & H Construction, later Nelsen Construction, and turned his love of carpentry into a lifelong career.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Glennda Nelsen; daughters, Holly (Gary) Hermann of Alexandria, Va. and April (Jonathan) Hansen of Anita; nine grandchildren: Hannah Hermann, Estelle Hermann, Alexandrea (Garrett) Schwanke, Cole (Jessica) McAfee, Paige McAfee, Peter McAfee, Sawyer (Kayleen) Hansen, Kassidy Hansen, and Grace (Tyler) McAfee; five great-grandchildren: Harlow Schwanke, Oliver and Hazel Hansen, and Miles and Kinsley McAfee; sister, Margaret (Mick) Heath; brother, Bob (Cheryl) Nelsen; and many extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Adam Nelsen; brother, Raymond Nelsen; grandparents; and parents-in-law, Glenn and Annie Lee.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Lauri Boysen officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Anita American Legion Post #210.
Burial will take place at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice. Dick's personal favorites included the Anita American Legion Post #210 and Iowa PBS.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Dick's family. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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