Albert Nelson

1938 - 2025

Albert "Al" Jay Nelson, age 87, passed away on November 28th, 2025, at his home in Hibbard under the care of his wife Joan, Symbii Hospice, Dr. Steven Lofgren, Homestead Home Care, and Synergy Home Care, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Al was born on April 26, 1938. He was the second child and eldest son born to Saville Ortella Byrne and Henry Ernest Nelson. The family continued to grow after Al was born and was joined by seven more siblings in the following years.

Al was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho but did not stay there long. The family moved to his grandfather's farm in the spring of 1941 when Henry took over operation. Al grew up on that farm in Clementsville, Idaho, where he attended a one room school throughout his elementary school years, starting school the same year as his older sister, Mary.

By the time Al and Mary were ready to attend high school, the little one-room schoolhouse was no longer able to meet their educational needs. So, Al and Mary boarded together in Rexburg for two years so they could attend Madison High School. After those first two years the family bought a home in Rexburg where they would live during the winter months so he and his siblings could finish high school.

After high school, Al attended Ricks College, completing an associates degree. He then enlisted in the Army, where he served for two years, mostly in Alaska, driving tanks and working as a personnel clerk. He received a Good Conduct Medal prior to his honorable discharge at the rank of Sergeant.

Following his military service, Al returned to studies at the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Agronomy.

From Moscow, Al returned home to the Rexburg area, where he worked with the Forest Service and with his father on the farm during the summers. Later, he began working for the Federal Housing Administration in Rexburg and was soon transferred to Burley, Idaho. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Joan Petersen, on June 5th, 1968.

About three years later, when Henry retired, Al and Joan moved back to Clementsville and Al took over the full operation of the farm. Soon after, he and Joan became the proud parents of two children.

Al was a talented all-around fellow. He could fix or build just about anything - from tricycles and toys to plumbing and drywall. He was mechanically skilled and spent lots of time repairing large farm machinery and anything else that needed fixing.

Al was an exceptional, self-taught gun smith, and could take any old rusty, bent up rifle or handgun and restore it, creating beautiful stocks for them. He was equally skilled in shooting them. He was an excellent marksman and could out-shoot almost anyone. He really loved the outdoors, and anything associated with it. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and if he could get a little time away from the farm in the summer, he'd usually be on a river or a lake with pole in hand.

He lived his last years in Hibbard, tending to his horses, his dogs, and his barn cats, and helping Joan with her beautiful yard and bountiful garden.

Al was always a kind and gentle man. He had the heart and courage of a lion and a work ethic that few could match. His family was always well taken care of and came first in his life. He was a loving and supportive husband, an amazing father, a devoted son, a treasured brother and uncle, and a hero to his children and grandchildren.

Al is survived by his wife Joan Nelson of Hibbard, daughter Lori (Bobby) Hicks of Caldwell, Idaho, siblings Mary (Jesse, deceased) Stinchcomb of Kuna, Idaho, Martha (Conard) Jensen of Rexburg, Idaho, Laura (Sam) Meyers, of Mountain Home, Idaho, Doyle (Debbie) Nelson of Grants Pass, Oregon, Lila (David, deceased) Hemphill of Idaho Falls, 4 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Saville Nelson, his brothers Wilbur Thayne and Richard Nelson, his sister, Carmen Smith, and his son, Mark Nelson.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at the Hibbard LDS Church, located at 2001 North 3000 West, Rexburg, Idaho at 11:00 am. The family will meet with friends and family at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg on Friday, December 5th, 2025, from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm, and again on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, from 10:00 am -10:45 am.

Burial will be at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the direction of Flamm Funeral Home.