Funeral services for James Nelson, 83, of Dallas Center and formerly of rural Bouton will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6 at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Perry. Burial will be at the Violet Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 at Murdock Funeral Home.
James passed away Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, at the Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa, after a lengthy illness.
Jim was born in Dexter, Iowa, Sept. 1, 1938. to Ransome (R. A.) and Helen (Anderson) Nelson. In 1943 the family relocated from Earlham to the “Beaver View” farm near Bouton, Iowa.
Jim attended Gardiner Consolidated School and graduated from Perry High School in 1957.
Jim enrolled at Iowa State University in the pre-veterinary program but had to leave to return to help on the family farm. Jim continued to farm until his health became poor and he had to retire in 2019.
In 1962 Jim married Wanda Taylor. Together they welcomed five children, Chris (Lori) Nelson, Craig (Natali) Nelson, Jay (Paula) Nelson, Joel (Renee) Nelson and Kendra (Matt) Norman. Jim and Wanda later divorced in 1998.
In 1961 Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was trained as a sharpshooter. After his term of service was complete, Jim returned to Bouton and continued serving by joining the Army National Guard. During his selective service with the Guard, Jim was trained and received commendations for Sharpshooter (rifle), Marksman (pistol) and Expert (carbine). He also received two State Service Awards. Jim was honorably discharged from service in February 1967.
Jim’s lifelong commitment to service also extended to his community. He spent more than 20 years serving on the Central Dallas School Board and served as the president.
Jim was a 4H Leader for close to 30 years for the Beaver Junior Farmers. All five of his children were active 4H members, showing cattle, pigs and sheep as well as numerous projects. Jim gave countless hours to volunteering and equipment use to the Dallas County Fair and served as a Fair Board member.
Jim was also a Dallas County Youth Committee Extension Leader, a Minburn Coop Board Member and a longtime member of the Dallas County Cattlemen’s Association.
Jim will be remembered by those who loved him as a quiet, honest and hardworking man who was very proud of his children and the lives that they have built and the families they have made.
Jim is survived by his five children and their spouses; his nine grandchildren, Hannah, Jacob, Cole, Jenna, Emma, Cael, Ryker, Xander and Zane; and his siblings, Karen Taylor, Helen-Ann Harrison, John Nelson, Linda Nelson and Bill Nelson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials will be directed to Dallas County 4-H or Dallas County Fair Association and may be sent to Murdock Funeral Home in care of the Nelson family.
