Willis Noble Nelsen

Mr. Willis Noble Nelsen, age 96, of Exira, IA, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, IA.

Willis Noble Nelsen was born on June 25, 1928, to Kristian Peter and Anna Marie (Leander) Nelsen. He attended a country school in rural Oakfield before enlisting in the Army. On September 5, 1946, Willis joined the United States Army and was discharged on January 23, 1948. Willis married Iola Mae Christensen on May 24, 1963, at the Baptist Church in Harlan, IA. Together, they had four children: Larry, Mark, Julie, and Kris.

Willis managed the Fertilizer Plant in Brayton for many years. After that, he assisted AGRILAND in Audubon. When Willis wasn’t working, he was raising his exotic animals. He had everything from Longhorn cattle to llamas, chickens, ducks, goats, and many more. You would often see or hear him traveling to Stuart for the exotic animal auctions. Willis and his wife Iola were members of the Federated United Church of Christ in Exira. He was a Brayton American Legion Post #350 member for 73 years.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Iola; his daughter, Julie Michele Weideman; his son, Larry Peppers; his grandson, Jason Peppers; his parents; his siblings, Jackie Nelsen, Daniel and Nellie Nelsen; Sylvia and Herbert Rattenborg; George and wife Lois Nelsen; and JoAnn and husband Claude Lasley.

Survivors include his sons, Mark Peppers of Glenwood, IA; Kris Nelsen of Exira, IA; his son-in-law Mark Weideman of Atlantic, IA; his daughter-in-law Claudia Peppers of Creston, IA; his grandchildren: Justin and wife Silvia Peppers of Cheyenne, WY; Joshua (Elisa) Peppers of West Des Moines, IA; Regan Peppers of Glenwood, IA; Melissa (Mike) Long of Glenwood, IA; Christopher (Ashley) Nelsen of Carroll, IA; Matthew (Michelle) Madsen of Brayton, IA. Amy Jo and husband Jerrid Walker of Massena, IA; and Tyler (Jess) Weideman of Center Point, IA; his great-grandchildren: Tacy Peppers, Landon Peppers, Beowulf Peppers, Katana Peppers, Hayley Kloeckner, Braxton Walker, Max Walker; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira, with Jason Zaiger officiating the service. Committal will follow at Exira Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Brayton American Legion #350 & The Iowa Military Honor Guard.

Visitation with the family will be held one hour before the funeral at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Memorials may be directed to the Brayton American Legion Post #350 in Willis's memory or mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Exira is handling funeral arrangements.