Duane John Nelson

Duane John Nelson, the son of John and Lucille (Brewer) Nelson, was born February 20, 1951, in Atlantic, Iowa and died September 8, 2019, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 68 years, 6 months, and 18 days.
Duane was baptized at the Christian Church in Exira, Iowa and later confirmed at the Missouri Synod Church in Maryville, MO. He attended the Exira Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1969. Duane then studied accounting at Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri.
On June 14, 1970, he was united in marriage to Janet Tibben at St. John’s Lutheran Church southeast of Exira, Iowa. They were blessed with two children Sarah and Eric. Duane and Janet lived in Maryville for a few years before moving to Atlantic, Iowa. Duane enlisted in the National Guard and took his Basic Training at Fort Polk in Louisiana. He returned to Atlantic and was employed at American Builders for a while, then worked for Challenge Feed, and later Pyramid Builders. Duane started farming with his father on their farm south of Brayton, Iowa. After his father retired he continued farming the home place and also rented land. In 1989 he purchased a farm where he continued to grow row crops and raised livestock until they sold the family farm in 1999. Duane worked for Cropmate for several years and also started his own business Nelson Woodworks which he operated until he retired.
In 2009 he married Melody Bole. They lived in Casey, Iowa and Melody died in a fire in their home on July 1, 2016. Duane remained in Casey, Iowa until moving to the Exira Care Center in May of 2018. Duane loved woodworking and loved to fish.
Preceding him in death was his wife Melody and his father John Nelson.
Survivors include his children Sarah M. Zach of Lake City, Iowa, and Eric and wife Mindy Nelson of Walnut, Iowa; his son-in-law, Jamie Zach of Exira, Iowa; his grandchildren Nelson Zach of Anita, Iowa, Meghan Zach of Mason City, Iowa, Adrian Zach of Lake City, Lane Nelson and Ty Nelson both of Walnut, Heidi Hall of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Halle Hall and Zeb Hall both of Walnut; his mother Lucille Nelson of Exira, Iowa; his step-son Cory and wife Teresa Gregersen of Guthrie Center, Iowa’ his step-grandchildren Alexis Gregersen and Connor Gregersen both of Guthrie Center; his brother Kevin and wife Candis Nelson of Brayton, Iowa; his sisters Lavonne and husband Neil Schroeter of Brayton, and Carol and husband Monti Miller of Woodward, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Alan Seehusen on Friday afternoon September 13, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at the Exira Care Center - Littlefield Room in Exira, Iowa. Inurnment will be in the Sunny Hill Cemetery near Adair, Iowa.