James G. Nelson Sr., age 79, of Ankeny, Iowa and Lake Havasu City, Arizona passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. A visitation will be held Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at Ankeny Funeral Home followed by Rosary Service for family at 7pm. A funeral mass will be Friday, January 29, 2021 at 11 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50313. Cremation will take place following the service and a private family military ceremony will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Please visit www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for livestreaming of the funeral mass due to Covid-19 restrictions and online condolences for the Nelson family.
Jim was born October 27, 1941 in Humboldt, Iowa to Glen and Marion (Jensen) Nelson. After completing high school in Humboldt, Jim joined the Army then joined the National Guard in 1961 and making a career out of it retiring in 1994. While in the guard he attended UNI for couple years. He earned the rank of Master Sergeant and was very proud of his military career and his country. Jim met the love of his life, Helen C. Ford at Johnny’s Steak Harbor Restaurant in Humboldt, IA where mom waited tables. In 1964 they were united in marriage in Gilmore City, IA at St. John’s Catholic Church and together raised three children.
In Jim's younger years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, water skiing, being on a bowling league, and taking family vacations. These were hobbies he loved sharing with his children. During his working years, Jim was a self-employed contractor and built many homes and businesses in the Ankeny area. He became a mentor for many young men wanting to start their own construction business. Jim was very active in the Ankeny community with the Ankeny Builder's Association and sponsored little league teams. He was a member of the VFW, Ankeny Pork Board and helped develop the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex. He restored a 1964 Ford Galaxie and loved participating in car shows as a judge and competitor.
Jim played in many golf leagues and once retired he moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona where he would play golf regularly and cruise around in his Galaxie.
Left to remember Jim, include his wife of 56 years, Helen; children, Joan (Kelvin) Schoon, James, Jr (Melissa) Nelson, and Dottie Butler-Figley; grandchildren, Danielle (Eric) Hockenberry, Tim (Kelsey) Nelson, and Brandt Butler; and great-grandchildren, Joelle Hockenberry and a new baby boy coming May 2021; and siblings, Harriet Nelson, Connie (Ron) Williams, David Nelson, and Grant (Maxine) Nelson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be used in planting trees in memory of Jim.
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