Jeffrey Nelson

Jeffrey Lockwood Nelson, age 68, of Huron, passed away at his home on March 3, 2025. View Jeff's Memorial Folder
His memorial service was held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 11, at Huron Christian Church. His service was live-streamed.
His visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Monday, March 10, at the Kuhler Funeral Home with family present. A prayer service was held at 6:30 PM, Monday evening.
Jeff was born July 22, 1956, to Harland and Norma (Lockwood) Nelson at St. John's Hospital in Huron, South Dakota. Jeff was the fourth of what were ultimately five J's, following James (Jim), Julie and Jane and preceding Joel. Having enjoyed the privilege of being the youngest child for 10 years, he never grew out of his mischievous temperament and winning personality. He did his best to pass that on to his little brother. He made many lifelong friends that endured from his childhood. Once you were his friend, you were his friend for life.
Jeff began working at nine years old, joining Jim peeling potatoes (among other duties) at the Double H, our father's ice cream store. Jeff continued working at the Double H and then at The Barn all through elementary school, Junior High and High School, learning all aspects of the business. He graduated from Huron High School in 1974 and went on to South Dakota State University to major in Restaurant Management, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1979. After graduation, he came back to Huron and joined Jim running The Barn until the restaurant closed in 2005. Along the way, he made many friendships with employees that continued long after their employment ended. The Barn was the first job for many, and Jim and Jeff made it a fond memory that taught many life skills along the way.
After The Barn closed, Jeff put his skills as a cook to work at the Huron Nursing Home in the food service department. He continued to bring light and laughter to the workplace, lifting up those he worked with on a daily basis. More importantly, he was working there while our father was a resident, as he spent his final years suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Jeff was always close at hand, offering comfort and support to our father and our mother, who was in assisted living next to the nursing home and in the nursing home herself after our father passed away. Jeff was fortunate enough to be at both of their bedsides as they took their final breaths.
Jeff began working for the Huron School District in 2010, again in food service. Once again, he lit up the kitchen with his sense of humor and ability to make the workplace fun, even at 5 am. Not surprisingly, he found himself working alongside former employees of The Barn, both in the kitchen at the Huron Middle School and amongst the staff, building upon the good memories from The Barn days. During this time, he also worked part time at Lewis Drug, using his customer service skills to lift the mood of shoppers and co-workers alike. After working for nearly 60 years, Jeff retired in the fall of 2024.
Jeff enjoyed golfing and watching all kinds of sports, especially his beloved Raiders and visiting the nearby dirt track races. Dirt track racing was one of his late life loves, due to the influence of his close friend, Dave Johnson. He also loved watching Pit Bulls and Parolees with his best friend Ranger, a pit bull/lab mix and feeding Ranger and his other best friend Scooter too many snacks.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; his sister, Jane Nelson; one sister-in-law, Joan Nelson; one niece, Emily Nelson; and two nephews, Matthew Nelson and Nicholas Nelson.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his siblings, James Nelson of Huron, Julie (Robert) Lubke of Sioux Falls and Joel (Amy) Nelson of Huron; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. View Jeff's Floral Arrangements