Dad, I was so blessed to have you in my life.  All my memories are so special of a very loving father.  You always seemed to have some words of encouragement or advice for whatever situation might arise.  I always felt your love. I will miss you so much.  I love you Dad.                Cindy

Ken, You will be very missed. What a wonderful time I had spending so many holidays and so many great meals with you and your family. I really enjoyed talking with you about Iowa, where so many of my family are from also. You will live in our hearts forever!

Dear Ken,  There will be few as privileged as I am, to have know a man like you. Your gentle soul, your stern resolve, your love for family, your passion for great food and your acceptance of me into your family. You always gave so freely of your time and your life lessons to everyone. Those are gifts that will live on in all of us forever. Some of my most treasured memories with you include, my very first 18 holes of golf in Mesa, shopping with you at Harbor Freight Tools, and of course spending so many holidays with you at the helm in the kitchen.  The thing I will miss most is your smile and of course your laugh. Ken, your's was a life lived well and you have earned the right to rest, but it seems only fitting that you go and prepare a place for us until we meet again.  
I bid you "A Dieu! & Bon Voyage"

Grandpa, you meant the world to me.  You will always be a positive influence in my life and the memories will never fade.  I love you and you will be dearly missed.

It was an honor and privilege to have known Ken.  He was like a father to me, having known him for 38 years ( 1 year longer than I knew my own father who died when I was 37 years old).  I went to him many times for guidance and advise.  He taught me the difference between black and white when it came to household wiring.  He enjoyed life to the fullest when he was physically able and taught me how to handle a boat with a water skier. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  David Harris

"GRANDPA!!!!"  It is hard to imagine that I will miss hearing that someone is going to take me over their knee or that I should be running from their fist.  The truth is that I will miss it like crazy and I will continue to be inspired by the man he was and know that it has been such an honor to be a part of the beautiful family and life that he had created.  I love you Grandpa!

For My Father,
I've had the rare opportunity of living with and getting to know my father as an adult.  I've been able to reexperience memorable times from a different prespective.  I learned more about his life growing up with its good times and its struggles.  I see dad as a quiet man, yet very proud as evidenced by his service to his country and his memories of WWII.  He was a loyal man to friends and family alike.  He loved to tell stories and make people smile, and his smile could light up a room.  Over the last several years as he lost more of his independence with his illness, he didn't complain.  He was a family man, and while he wasn't always able to voice his feelings, I knew without a doubt that he loved me and would always be there for me. I was very blessed to have had my father for 87 years.  Love you Dad, Nancy

Grandpa,
I will always remember you telling me to not get wet when I would go swimming, or tall me to go fly a kite.  I can never forget the one time the two of us went fishing off the dock in Arizona.  I finally caught something and you got so excited because it was very heavy.  When I finally got it to the surface it ended up being just a tire.  When I look at how amazing and loving our family is I know that it all started with you and grandma and I am honored to be able to keep your legacy alive.  You are a very special man and will be greatly missed.

Love,
Jeff and Shauna Harris

Dear Ruth and Famly, I was so sorry to hear that Ken had passed away. Ken was a very special person . David and I have often talked about our trip with you Ken , David & Nancy Micah And Stacey to Branson Missouri.We had a lot of fun on that trip. Eating good food and visiting. David also really enjoyed the many times on golf trips with Micah that you would open up your home and Ken would cook eggs and fresh squeezed juice for breakast. He will surely be missed. I pray that God grants you peace during this time . We love you all and are praying for you at this time.

God Bless
David , Becky , Anna, & Emily Dean ( Alma Arkansas)

To my loving incredible Grandpa,
I will always remember your smile and your incredible ways of making everybody laugh.  While my veggies never grew more hair on chest or made my hair any curlier I will pass on the teachings.  I will never forget my times in Iowa with you fishing and having all kinds of fun.  Those memories will live on in me forever, and I cherish them.  You really knew how to be the best grandfather.  Your patience and tender care for your family show how big your heart is.  Your big laugh will echo in my memories forever.  To see all of this from a war hero, to me, is a really big deal.  Your passion for life was inspiring.  You really are a hero to me and my family.  I look forward to carrying on your legacy through my family and continue to make our family amazing.  I can only hope that once I become a grandfather that I can do as good of a job as you did.  You will always be a part of our lives through our hearts and our minds.  Thank God for being able to skype so that you got to meet Kai.  Kai is very grateful for that.  Everyone will always love and honor you for the great man you are.
With great love,
Adam, Neely and Kai Harris

Ken, from the moment I met him, was a kindred spirit.  He took me for who I was, and the times we enjoyed together.  I can always respect someone for that type of love.  But respecting Ken was never a question for me.  Knowing the sacrifice he gave as a young man in Iwo Jima was enough for me to identify him as a shining part of the "Greatest Generation".  Ken and I stayed up one special night enjoying libations and singing marching songs from the military.  He had the best smile, and the most endearing eyes.  You could tell he loved his family, and he loved being around lots of people.  And the guy could hit a golf ball!!  Although he hit from the wrong side of the ball (lefty), he was known to have shown me a thing or two about putting the white ball in the cup.  I'll always miss Ken.  But I'll always remember what he meant to me, and how great he made me feel to be part of such a great family.

Dear Great Papa,
I will always remember the times that we built and painted in the workshop.  That was so much fun!  I loved visiting you in Arizona and loved the wonderful hugs.  You are a special Great Papa and I will miss you very much.

I love you Great Papa.  I miss you so so much.  I wish I could see again.  If you were here I would give you a great big hug and kiss.  I love you.

In honor of a very special Grandfather and man.  We will always cherish the memories and special times spent together.  As a young girl, I can vividly remember our many outings to flea markets and garage sales.  We loved rummaging through the many treasures!!  One visit to Iowa resulted in a memorable event with the golf cart.  Grandpa decided to let me drive the golf cart while he golfed.  As I drove up a steep hill, I can remember him telling me to make a sharp turn to the left.  Well, I made the sharp turn...maybe a little too sharp.  Grandpa rolled out of the golf cart and down the hill.  Needless to say, I was never allowed to drive the golf cart again.  I will always remember the many cooking and gardening lessons and wonderful hugs.  You will always remain our our heart and prayers.  I love you Grandpa.

DEAR RUTH AND FAMILY,
I WAS SADDENED TO HEAR OF KEN'S PASSING.  I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES WE SPENT TOGETHER.  I AM SORRY THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE SERVICES.
MY SINCERE SYMPATHY TO ALL OF YOU.
        ALICE COX

To all of you as you honor your husband, father, grandfather and friend and celebrate his life: I was so sorry to learn the news about the loss of Ken.  I am thankful for having gotten to know him over the years and know he will be missed by everyone who had that opportunity.  I will keep all of you close in thought, heart, and prayer in the days ahead. No life passes without purpose; No sorry goes uncomforted; May God be with each of you during this time of sorrow and may the many memories you carry become your gift that turns tears to smiles when you remember his life.  Love to one and all.  Geri and Mark Adams & Family

Dear Ruth, Nancy, Cindy, Rick and family. My sincere sympathy to all of you in your loss.  You were truly blessed with a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and I know you have many cherished memories to keep his memory alive in your hearts. May God guide your days and bring you all comfort and peace. Let me know if I can do anything for you. Love to you all. Jane

Dear sweet family, we are sorry to hear the sad news.Grandpa Ken will always be in our memory and will be missed. I am also sorry that I couldnot be there to support you in this terrible time. I hope you find the strenght to deal with this lost. My special memory with grandpa Ken was Christmas 2008 I got to paint the birdhouse he juse to build, that was a fun time and I was glad to be a part of it.We are thinking of you.
Love Sam and family

Dear Ruth and family,   We are saddened by the news of Ken's passing. I am sorry we won't be there to attend his memorial service.May you let all the bad times fade away in your memory and let the good times remain in your hearts forever.  May God Bless you.  Andy and Katee Heath

Dear Nancy and Ruth and All of the Family,  We are so sorry for your loss. Family is so dear.  This is a beautiful website. I'll always remember all of the huge family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. We loved being with your family.  I'll remember Ken standing in the kitchen cooking turkey! He sure loved tasting that gravy to make sure it was just right! Life is a journey and we enjoyed all of time spent with you.  Blessings and Love, Marsha and Robert and Family

OBITUARY

Kenneth "Bud" Nelson

16 July, 1923 – 23 September, 2010

Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services