Richard Nelson

Funeral services for Richard Nelson, age 79, of Bonesteel, SD, were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD, with Pastor Clark Gies officiating. Music was provided by Judy Gies, accompanist. Lois Laber and Sara Grim were in charge of registration, and Joann Bentz and Amy Bailey were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Dan Herrmann, Bill Sutton, Joel Jons, Darrell Pepper, Jon Zeisler, Luke Zeisler, Darrin Liewer, Chris Brewster, and Nicolaus Nelson. Honorary casket bearers were Joe Laber, Don Lhotak, Jim Guerrant, Ed Peppel, Bill Peppel, Dick Ellwanger, Jim Carlson, Leo Schulte, Ronnie Bentson, Kerry Jons, Don Cahoy, Jim Hiatt, Larry Hiatt, Chris Neumiller, Jessie Vogt, and in memory of Kermit & Patricia Folsland.

Interment was at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Fairfax, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Richard (Rick) Wayne Nelson was born in Volga, SD, to Martin T. and Helen Lundin Nelson. He was the third of four siblings. He attended Longfellow 56 Country School through third grade, continuing on to Oldham School where he graduated in 1964. In high school, he was a star athlete in football and basketball.

During high school and college, Rick worked for Kermit and Patricia Folsland at their farm in Oldham, SD. He planted crops and sometimes helped at Folsland Apiaries. For a time, Rick continued working at the farm during his summer breaks even after he started teaching.

Rick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from General Beadle State College (Dakota State University) Madison, SD, in 1968. During his college years, he was a member of the college baseball team.

After college, Rick played baseball for the Madison Broncos, basketball with the town team, and golf with his friends. He liked playing cards and having coffee with his friends at the Teepee Cafe or McCarville Coffee Shop. He never lost his competitive edge.

In the fall of 1968, Rick arrived in Bonesteel for his first teaching job, only to stay for the rest of his life. In addition to his business classes, he coached football, basketball, and track.

In 1969, the Bonesteel High School business teacher met the Fairfax High School business teacher, Jeanne H. Carlsen, daughter of Alfred K. and Vera Zeisler Carlsen, and they were married in a Christmas setting on December 26, 1970. One daughter, Nicole Jean Nelson, was born to this union. Grandson Nicolaus Tate Nelson later joined the family.

Rick took some time off from teaching and worked at Gary Vogt and Sons Feed Store and the Carlsen Ranch and established himself as an agent for DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance Company, selling property and auto insurance. He maintained his agency, Nelson Insurance, for 30 years.

Rick taught and coached at Andes Central High School in Lake Andes, SD, for one year. His next teaching and coaching job was Butte High School, Butte, NE. He moved over to West Boyd High School in Spencer, NE, where he continued teaching business and coaching, when the Butte High School closed.

In the 1980’s, Rick and Jeanne purchased part of the Carlsen Ranch, wanting to keep the land in the family. Later they purchased a condominium in Sioux Falls, SD, which enabled them to enjoy events in the Sioux Falls area.

Rick passed away at the Lake Andes Care Center, having previously moved from the Butte Healthcare Center when it closed in March.

He is survived by Jeanne (Jean) his wife of 55 years; daughter Nicole Jean Nelson (Brian Schmidt); grandson Nicolaus Tate Nelson; sister Mary Bush and family; sister Marcia (Leo) Schoeberl and family; brother Roger Nelson’s daughter Dawn and her daughters, and son Brian and his family; and sister-in-law, Charlene Carlsen Bringelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, in-laws, brother Roger Nelson and wife Mary; and brothers-in-law Gene Bringelson, and Kenneth A. Carlsen.