Lyle Nelson, age 85, of Atlantic, IA, and formerly of Elk Horn, IA, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Cass Health in Atlantic, IA.
Lyle Byriel Nelson, son of Manvel and Lydia (Marcusen) Nelson, was born March 6, 1938, in Audubon, Iowa. Went to High School in Elk Horn, Iowa. Lyle joined the Army in 1956 and did six months of active duty. He started truck driving while doing four years in the National Guard.
On September 21, 1960, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Ann Sorensen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Marcia, Greg, Gale, and Karen. Lyle and Dorothy farmed near Hamlin for about five years, and when they finally settled in Elk Horn, Iowa, Lyle went back to trucking. He was a member of the Kimballton Lutheran Church.
Lyle enjoyed fishing and gardening. Every year he had an immaculate garden. He also enjoyed driving his classic John Deere tractor in parades. He loved polka music. Lyle loved and spoiled his dogs through the years, from dog treats to homemade TV dinners. And their grandkids and great-grandkids loved his malts. Lyle spent a lot of his spare time tinkering with woodworking.
He was preceded into death by his parents, father, and mother-in-law, Hans & Alice Sorensen; a brother, Dale Nelson; a brother-in-law, Virgil Sorensen; and a son-in-law, Danny Funderberg.
Lyle is survived by his wife Dorothy, their four children, Marcia (Lawson) VanderVegte of Hockley, TX, Greg (Donna) Nelson of Harlan, IA, Gale (Laurie Kroger) Nelson of Canton, SD and Karen Funderberg of Kimballton, IA. 9 grandchildren: April (Daniel) Desroches, Amber (William) Joiner, Petrea (Jake) Carlson, Preston (Shelby) Nelson, Andrea (Cole) Lowary, Kelby Nelson, Keaton (Eliza Green) Nelson, Shawn (Lindsey) Pottebaum, Chelsie (Brian) Ginn. 18 Grandchildren; two brothers, Martin (Shirley) Nelson of Elk Horn, IA, Gary (Sherry) Nelson of San Marcos, TX; a sister, Janis (Larry) Fajen of Elk Horn, IA; several nieces and nephews; and many friends and extended family.
Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA.
The funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, with Pastor Steven Frock officiating the service. A luncheon will be held in the reception room at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home following the funeral.
Interment will take place following the luncheon at the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Lyle Nelson Family, to be designated to many of his favorite local organizations and charities, and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA.
Funeral arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.
