Donald Nelson

Donald L.Nelson, 77, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, March 31, 2008, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Donald Leroy Nelson was born April 13, 1930, in rural Audubon County, the son of Lars and Eunice (Cooley) Nelson. Early in his life, Donald lived in Audubon County and attended school in Exira. Later his family moved to Cass County and Donald graduated from Anita High School in 1948.

He was united in marriage to Mildred Van Aernam on September 12, 1948, at the Anita Methodist Church in Anita, Iowa. Donald worked as a route salesman for Wonder Bread for 29 years. After retirement he stayed busy as a Tombstone Pizza route salesman, a bus driver and janitor for the Atlantic Community Schools, as well as a bus driver for SWIPCO.
He was a member of the Audubon Ham Radio Club in Audubon, Iowa, and the United Church of Christ in Atlantic, Iowa.

Donald enjoyed talking on his CB radio for years until he discovered the Ham Radio. He became a Licensed Ham Radio Operator 10 years ago. He loved to listen and talk to people from all over the world on his radios.

Donald was a very likable person, he never met a stranger, and everyone was a friend. He was a devoted father, but the real joys of his life were his grandchildren. He was able to live life through them as his health declined.

He is survived by his wife Mildred of 59 1/2 loving years of Atlantic, Iowa; his daughter, Linda Knop and her husband, Clark of Atlantic, Iowa; his son, Rick Nelson and his wife, Annette of Atlantic, Iowa; his daughter, Pam Jepperson of Bellevue, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Melissa Sothman and her husband, Jason of Ottumwa, Iowa, Jocie Dumstorff and her husband, Brian of Atlantic, Iowa, Nicole Beatty and her husband, Jeff of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tyler Gaines and his wife, Cassey of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Zachary Jepperson and Tanner Jepperson both of Oakland, Iowa; seven great-grandchildren; a nephew, Gary Nelson of Olathe, Kansas; numerous close cousins; and many, many friends.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Lars and Eunice Nelson; and a brother, Merrill Nelson, who died off the coast of Italy in World War II.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 4, 2008, at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic, Iowa. Visitation will be Thursday, April 3, 2008, from 12:00 until 8:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa. Family and friends are invited for lunch and memories in the church fellowship hall following the funeral service.

A private burial of ashes will be held at a later date.

You are invited to leave condolences at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.