Leland Nelson

Leland Lester Nelson was born the son of Lester and Evalyn (Hoegh) Nelson on February 12, 1927, in Audubon County, Iowa, and passed away Saturday May 30, 2009, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.


Leland grew up on the family farm south of Brayton, Iowa. He attended school in Exira, graduating from the Exira High School in 1944. He then attended Iowa State College for one year. Leland served in the U.S. Army from September 1950 until June of 1952, when he became a member of the Army Reserves, serving until 1957.

On February 12, 1956 Leland was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Smith, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Two children, Becky and Lynn, were born to this union.

Leland helped on the family farm, drove a bread truck, and worked at the Coca Cola plant in Atlantic prior to starting his employment at the United States Post Office in Atlantic. He retired from his position as Post Master after 29 years of employment in 1989.

He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic and a past member of the American Legion.

Leland's first priority was his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed all kinds of sports, and spent many hours sitting in the stands at his grandchildren's sports events. He also enjoyed quiet time working on crossword puzzles.

He is survived by his wife, Bev of Atlantic; his children, Becky (Evan) Case of Stewartville, Minnesota, and Lynn (Julie) Nelson of Ankeny, Iowa; his grandchildren, Caleb, Cody and Caity Case of Stewartville, Minnesota, and Courtney and Claire Nelson of Ankeny, Iowa; his niece, Kathryn (Mike) Turner of Springfield, Tennessee; his brother-in-law, Dean (Verdella) Smith of Atlantic, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Doris Christensen of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Elaine Callahan; and his brother-in-law, Robert Christensen.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. A private family burial will be held prior to the memorial service.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

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