The funeral service for Bruce Sheldon Nelson, age 65, of Pierre, South Dakota, was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Pierre. Burial will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 ,in IOOF Cemetery at Gregory, SD. Isburg Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Bruce Nelson was born on December 3, 1960, to Patricia “Patty” Jones and Duaine Nelson in Tripp County, South Dakota. He was the proud older brother to Bryan “Bubba” Nelson, and later to a sister, Natasha Rezac. Bruce began his education in a country school before moving with his mother and step-father, Harrold Rezac, to a farm near the Keya Paha River in Nebraska. He attended school in Springview, Nebraska, until he transferred to Gregory High School in the Fall of 1977. He then graduated from Burton High School in 1979.
Life on the farm was something Bruce treasured. He and Bryan shared many chores; each morning and evening, they carried water to nearly 150 pigs, making countless trips with five-gallon buckets. During one of those chores, a deer appeared 400 yards away. Bruce, carrying his 30-30, bet Bryan that if he could hit the deer, Bryan would have to finish carrying all the water by himself. Bryan accepted, Bruce pulled the trigger, the deer dropped, and Bryan finished carrying the water alone. Whether they were hunting coons, coyotes, or anything else that moved, or simply doing their daily chores, they found adventure in everything they did.
On March 21, 1981, Bruce married Melanie Hanson (Hoffman). Together they shared 20 years of marriage, three children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Although they later divorced, they remained lifelong friends and continued to share in holidays, special occasions, and family outings, always keeping a close-knit family.
Bruce later married Lori Ann Klein on February 14, 2004. They built a life together until Lori’s passing in 2020.
Bruce managed the local S&S store in Hastings, Nebraska, before returning to Gregory to raise his family. He later owned Nelson Archery and Outdoor Sports in Gregory, South Dakota, and co-owned Nelson Tackle, where he and Bryan tied fishing spinners that were eventually sold through Cabela’s.
Bruce later worked for Cenex, hauling propane throughout South Dakota and Nebraska. He eventually moved to Pierre in the early 2000’s. After working for Pietz Heating & Cooling for several years, he began what would become a more than 20-year career as manager of DJ’s Convenience Store.
Over those years, Bruce made countless friends and considered many of them family. Customers and friends looked forward to his weekly radio advertisements, where he often took the opportunity to embarrass a friend, tell a joke, or proudly talk about his grandchildren.
From a young age, Bruce found peace and happiness in the outdoors, a passion that remained with him throughout his life. He was a man of many talents, many trades, and plenty of inappropriate jokes. He loved making people laugh and treasured every moment spent with his family. Because he found so much peace in the outdoors, he made it a priority to share that passion with his children and grandchildren. He made sure each grandchild received their first gun from him, organized countless fishing, boating, and kayaking adventures, and took annual deer hunting trips with his children. This past year, Bruce and his son Derek drew Black Hills Elk Tags, and he was especially proud that they were able to fill both tags together.
He passed away peacefully at his home on June 25, 2026, surrounded by his children after a tough battle with esophageal cancer. He is survived by his children — Derek (Courtney) Nelson of Rapid City, Danielle (Casey Breitag) Nelson of Pierre, and Desiree Nelson of Pierre; grandchildren Payton, Violet, Oaklynn, Brayden (Khia), Keira (Justus), Teegyn, Brayce, Rylee, and Bree; great-grandchildren Zakaii and Brayah; brother Bryan (Angel) Nelson of Gregory; and sister Natasha Whitney of Cathedral City, California.
