Reverend Ronald W. Nelson

Reverend Ronald Nelson, 78, of Ames, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on February 8th, 2026. Ron was a faithful servant of the Lutheran Church and a lifelong scholar. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched through his ministry, his art, and his writings. His deep compassion, steady wisdom, and unwavering faith shaped every community he served.

Born in Salem, OR to the late Russell and Ardis Nelson. Ron was raised in Osseo, MN where he graduated from high school in 1966. Before answering the call to ministry, Ron earned his Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama at the University of Minnesota at Morris, MN in 1970. He then entered Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA to earn his Master of Divinity. He met the love of his life, Christine, while on internship in Ames, IA, and they were married on August 10th, 1974, at St. Paul Lutheran church in Fort Madison, IA. While working on his Masters, Ron served his community as a Behavioral Analyst for seven years at the state hospital in Fergus Falls, MN. Upon completing his Master's, he left the mental health field, and was ordained as a Lutheran pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard, MN on March 30th, 1980.

Throughout his distinguished career, Rev. Nelson served several congregations in Minnesota and Iowa. These churches included Grace Lutheran in Erhard, MN; St. John in Elizabeth, MN; Peace Lutheran in Sioux Center, IA; Emmanuel Lutheran and St. Paul Lutheran in Shenandoah, IA; St. Paul in Sheldon, IA; and finally, First Lutheran Churches in Clarion and Dows, IA. A gifted communicator and writer, he authored numerous articles, stories, and poems featured in Lyrical Iowa and The Lutheran Message. Even in retirement, Ron remained a constant presence in the faith community, serving as a pulpit supply pastor for many ELCA and Episcopal churches across central Iowa.

Beyond the pulpit, Ron was a man of many passions. He found joy in the quiet of nature while fishing, drawing, writing, and painting, but was enthusiastic about technology as an active member of the amateur ham radio community (callsign KB0MYP). He was active in the Boone County Amateur Radio Club and the Story County Amateur Radio Club. A lover of music, he frequently shared his talents on the guitar and accordion, and he deeply cherished his regular coffee gatherings with fellow pastors and friends.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Christine Nelson; their children, Matthew (Jennifer) Nelson, Luke (Bethany) Nelson, and Annie (Jordan) Atterberry; his daughter from a previous marriage, Ingrid (Doug) Cohen; and his sister, Cheryl (Patrick) Hammers. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, a large extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews, and a community of dear friends and parishioners.

"Go in peace and serve the Lord." - Rev. Ronald W. Nelson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone, with Pastor Mark Kvale officiating. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone. Private family interment will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery south of Shenandoah, Iowa.

Memorials are suggested to the family to use at their discretion.

Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 515-432-4550.