Memorial Services for John Nelson, 88, of Grand Junction will be 1:00 pm Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson, IA. Burial will take place in the Junction Township Cemetery, Grand Junction, Iowa. Visitation will be after 11:00 Friday, April 16, 2010 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Grand Junction, Iowa with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Masonic Service at 7:30 pm. Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army or Stewart Memorial Hospice of Lake City, IA.
John Allen Nelson was born March 4, 1922 in Greene County, Iowa. He was the son of Oscar “Ole” and Dora (Boston) Nelson.
John attended school at Grand Junction Consolidated School, graduating in 1940. He served his country in the United States Marine Corp during WWII in the South Pacific.
On March 14, 1947, John was united in marriage to Nina Rosella Coffin at Nina’s home in Gowrie. John and Nina lived in Jefferson for three years then moved to Grand Junction where they raised their family.
John was a man of many talents and wore many hats. He went from delivering grain with his father Ole and hauling livestock with his brother-in-law Earl Curry to delivering eggs and cream for C&M Produce. He worked at Fort Dodge Laboratories, Martin Brother’s Gas Station and was a clerk at the US Post Office in Grand Junction. He delivered the Sunday Des Moines Register for many years, covering over 100 miles every week. In 1969, after working with TR Watts and Sons Insurance he purchased the business and began the Nelson Insurance Agency. During that time he also had a home medical equipment business and sold real estate. He owned and served as landlord for numerous properties in Grand Junction, Jefferson, and Churdan over the years. John and Nina retired in 1985, selling the insurance company to McDonald Insurance in Scranton, and spent winters in Mesa, Arizona.
His hobbies included growing flowers and working in his yard, making homemade cherry and grape wine, and making beautiful stained glass window treatments for his family and friends. He collected decorative whiskey bottles, originally only produced by Jim Beam, and continued adding to the license plate collection started by his father. His oldest license plate dates back to 1901.
He was a member of multiple organizations including the Iowa Fireman’s Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Odd Fellows, and the Freemasons. John continued to be active in his community until quite recently. He had received awards and recognition including: an award for nearly 8 years of service on the Executive Board of Directors for the Region XII Regional Housing Authority in March 2010; recognition for 35 years of service as Greene County Veteran Affairs Commissioner in February 2010; and a certificate of accomplishment for 50 years as a member of the Freemasons.
He was known and loved by many for his wit and charm. Some of his famous one-liners included “You’re looking lovely” and “Stay Sweet.” And, when asked “How are you?” his reply was always “I’m Nice.” It was so standard of a reply that his children got him a vanity license plate with that phrase. He leaves each of us with so many wonderful memories. His grandchildren will forever remember breakfast time at Grandpa’s with his special Mickey Mouse pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream.
John is survived by two sons: Bill Nelson and his wife Diane of Shannon, IL, and Jim Nelson and his wife Deborah of Jefferson, IA; two daughters: Rosella Zimmerle and her husband Bill of Adel, IA, and Carol Gower and her husband Richard of Lake City, IA; one brother: George Nelson and his wife Rose of Des Moines, IA; ten grandchildren: Shawn Nelson and his wife Jennifer, Nicole Nelson, Dawn (Zimmerle) Taylor and her husband John, Bill Zimmerle, Jr. and his wife Carrie, April (Nelson) Geisler, Michael Nelson, Rob Gower and his wife Tara, Tom Gower, Andy Gower and his wife Rachel, and Kelly Gower; and 8 great-grandchildren: Addilyn, Madison, and Aubrey Zimmerle, Jeremiah, Justin, and Jordon Geisler, Ava Gower, and Johnathan Gower. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army or Stewart Memorial Community Hospital Hospice in Lake City. Services were arranged by Slininger-Rossow Funeral Homes of Jefferson and Grand Junction.
