Wayne Nelson, 1941-2019

Published 1:00 am Saturday, June 22, 2019

Wayne Nelson, 77, of Northwood passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019, at MercyOne-North Iowa Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Wayne Nelson

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Silver Lake Lutheran Church, 705 Silver Lake Road in Northwood. The Rev. Bill Peters will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City honor guard. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. S. in Northwood, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to Silver Lake Lutheran Church or MercyOne-North Iowa Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Sherrill “Wayne” Nelson was born Nov. 15, 1941, in rural Northwood, the son of Norris and Laura (Larson) Nelson. He was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at Silver Lake Lutheran Church in rural Northwood. Wayne attended rural Hartland Township Schools.

Wayne was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1960 and served his country faithfully until his honorable discharge in 1962.

Wayne was a lifelong farmer. He began farming with his father in 1963. Wayne also farmed at Parker Ranch, the second largest in the world on the big island of Hawaii for three years. After coming home from Hawaii, Wayne began farming west of Northwood.

Wayne and Judy were united in marriage Sept. 18, 1999, at Silver Lake Lutheran Church. While farming, Wayne also worked at Caroll George/ACT and Diamond Jo Casino.

Wayne was a lifelong member of Silver Lake Lutheran Church and Glenville American Legion.

Wayne loved playing cards, traveling, dancing, listening to country music and chatting with friends at Short Stop and John Deere Implement Shop. For six years, Wayne and Judy spent the winter months at their Arizona home in Apache Junction. While there, Wayne enjoyed hiking with his brother-in-law, Art, and friends. Wayne loved and enjoyed his family and grandchildren.

Due to poor health, Wayne spent the last 11 months of his life at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. Blessed be his memory.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Judy Nelson, of Northwood; four daughters, Diane (Gus) Hagen of Northwood, Debbie (Bruce Cavett) Barrett of Lake Mills, Tammy Butler of Lake Mills and Tracy (Cory) Cox of Leland; stepdaughter, Jody (Andy) Bakken, of Albert Lea; 10 grandchildren, Samantha Hagen, Brent Hagen, Shelby Hagen, Blake Hagen, Nick Barrett, Dylan Cavett, Clayton Butler, Cassidy Cox, Faith Cox and Cody Cox; four step-grandchildren, Brennan Bakken, Blaine Bakken, Brielle Bakken and Bryant Bakken; two sisters, Darlene (Seymour) Ferley and Sharon (Art) Mortez; brother, Richard (Maryls) Nelson; three sisters-in-law, Jean Nelson, Darlene Heggestad and Jane Hillman; brother-in-law, Doug (Shirley) Hillman; several nieces and nephews; and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Norris and Laura; brother, Bob Nelson; brothers-in-law Bob Hillman and Gary Heggestad; and niece, Pam Badik.

Conner Colonial Chapel in Northwood is handling the arrangements.