Jeff Nelson

Jeffrey Lynn Nelson was born on May 25, 1958, the son of Denzil and Arlene (Aden) Nelson in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed into the Methodist faith. Jeff graduated from Denison High School with the class of 1976 and went on to attend the University of South Dakota.

In 1979, Jeff began a ten-year career in law enforcement, where he served with both the Denison Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy. It was during this time that he fell for a waitress at the Red Lantern Steakhouse, Debra Pritchard.

Jeff and Deb married at the First United Methodist Church in Denison on October 23, 1982. Together, they made their home in Schleswig, where they were blessed with two children: their son, Christopher, and their daughter, Katelyn. The family was active at the church where Jeff enjoyed singing in the choir for many years.

In 1989, Jeff and Deb became the proud owners of American Auto Sales, a car dealership they ran for more than 15 years. In 1999, Jeff was named “Quality Dealer of the Year” by the Iowa Independent Automobile Dealers Association. In his later years, Jeff worked at Johnson Motors and then managed Ampride Tire Center.

Jeff and Deb loved to travel together, and shared great memories in their favorite spots around the Caribbean. Jeff discovered golf later in life and could often be found on the course with his friends. He enjoyed his vinyl records, a glass of whisky, and a hand-rolled cigar.

Jeff was kind, caring, loving, and fun. He enjoyed meeting and interacting with everyone he could, and his welcoming spirit will be missed.

Jeff passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 66 years, ten months and two days. He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlene and wife, Deb Nelson.

Jeff is survived by his two children: Chris (Annie) Nelson of Indianola and Kate (Eric Griffith) of Moline, Illinois; father, Denzil Nelson of Denison; brother, Brad Nelson of Denison; stepbrothers: TJ and Aaron Nelson of Paris, Kentucky; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with his funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. all on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison. Interment will follow in the Dow City Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.