James “Jim” Nelsen, age 83 of Anita, Iowa, died at the Cass County Health in Atlantic, IA. He was born on May 30, 1939, at his grandmother’s house in Anita. He was the oldest of three sons born to Roscoe and Maxine (Turner) Nelsen. He graduated from Anita High School in 1958.
Jim was united in marriage to Jolene Lager on November 20, 1960, in Greenfield, IA. They were blessed with their only daughter, Janet, in 1965. Jim was a hard-working man and a free thinker…he wasn’t afraid to go against the grain when he knew what was right. Over the years, he had many jobs…. He worked on the railroad, was a salesman for many things like, Wear Ever Pots & Pans, Schwan’s Ice Cream, Cars for Stangles in Atlantic, insurance, Purina, and Wayne Feeds. He also farmed for many years. He so enjoyed farming his farm, and each year would try and do something to make it better. In his later years, he rented out the farm, but you could still find him driving around the roads just looking over the farm, even parking his truck in the field so he could watch them plant in the spring and harvest the crop in the fall. In 1994, he made a big decision to move to Columbus, NE, where he worked for Sand Systems. Jolene stayed in Anita to look after the farming, and they drove back and forth every weekend. Though it was hard to be separated, they made it work. He loved his job and the people he worked with and never regretted his decision.
Jim had many hobbies over the years from coon hunting, riding horses and mules. Participating in antique tractor pulls, hunting, fishing, and going with Jolene to dances. They both loved going to Branson, MO, and the Clay County Fair in Spencer, IA with their friends and family almost every year. He loved his family very much, but his biggest joy in his life was the day he became a grandpa. He loved his granddaughter deeply and look forward to spending as much time with her as he could, though they had their disagreements, but he was very proud of her.
Jim was preceded in death by, his parents, Roscoe & Maxine Nelsen. Left to honor his memory are, his wife, Jolene of Anita; his daughter Janet (Eric) Maynard of Anita; granddaughter, Emily Maynard of Bellevue, NE; two brothers, Jerry (Faye) Nelsen and Joe (Mary) Nelsen all of Anita; many nieces, nephews, as well as many very special friends over the years.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Monday, March 6, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic with Rev. Laurie Boyson officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita with a luncheon at the Anita Community Building. Visitation with the family present will be from 4 pm till 6 pm on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic. Memorials can be made in his name and will be designated at a later date and can be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home – P.O. Box 523 – Atlantic, IA 50022. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home is caring for James and his family at this time and condolences can be sent at:
schmidtfamilyfh.com
