Don Nelson

Donald Myron Nelson, passed away at the Bennett County Nursing Home, Martin SD on March 25th, 2017. Don was born in Comstock, Nebraska, to Dwight and Neeta Nelson, on December 24. 1924. Don was the third of four sons, LaVern, Leonard, Donald, and Gerald. When Don was 6 years old, the family moved to the Martin area in 1930, following other relatives that had previously moved from Comstock to Martin. They started a homestead seven miles west and then north, and began living in a small granary. They lived there for two years then moved south just north of highway 18. Later, another son, Gerald Nelson was born. These were very hard times, and the family worked very hard on the farm working with farming and cattle. The brother's childhood recreation included sharing of a single bicycle and rolling from the north hill inside of truck tires and hitting the outhouse to stop. One time, Dwight was in the outhouse when all four boys hit the small building in succession, followed by Dwight coming out pulling up his pants; this has always been a favorite family story.

Don attended Swett School, then Bennett County High School, graduating in 1942. Don talked of the many fun, and sometimes mischievous, times during and following high school.

Don joined the U.S. Navy in December 1944 and was soon commissioned to Pearl Harbor in the medical core following the bombing. He had also served in Court A'dlaide, Idaho, and was discharged in San Diego, California in April 1948. Later, following his discharge, Don and Lloyd Prettyman drove to San Diego in a 1932 Dodge to work as welders in the Navy ship yard. Don had told they drove no more than 35 mph and that it took more gallons of oil on the trip than gallons of gasoline.

Later living in Martin, Don married Valerie Dirks on September 10th, 1949. They were always a happy couple and were generally always seen together; it was always Don and Val. Initially they lived in an apartment in Martin west of the theatre. Don had told that they would walk on the snowbank to the second story of the theatre to watch a movie following the blizzard of 1949. Their first son, Myron was born in June 1950 and later their second son, Lyndal was born in October 1951. Don worked in Bennett County and on the farm along with other jobs. The family moved to Los Angeles, California, for a winter and Don worked as a welder again. In moving back to Martin, Don began farming full time and worked to build the family house, beginning with moving into a granary.

The farm was now three independent farming operations with Dwight farming, LaVern farming, and Don Farming on the same home place. They worked together as needed and shared in harvest equipment and operations, including performing local custom harvesting. The life of a farmer was a genuine pride of Don as well as Dwight and LaVern. Don was a very creative and efficient operator in his farming and cattle operations. Although the work week was always very hectic with long hours each day, the family time primarily consisted of weekend boating recreation at the White River project or Angostura Lake, and often shared with other family and friends. Many times working in shifts throughout the week, with Val managing the household, and everyone working to keep two tractors in operation for 24 hours a day so the weekend could be available for camping and boating. Although always working hard on the farm, it was absolutely the best loving, caring life a family could ask for.
Don was very active in the American Legion Post 240 in Martin. Don and Val (member of the Legion Auxiliary) had many good times serving the Legion. Don was very proud to have served in the Legion, and as Legion Commander in the 60's and to have served on the Coop Elevator Board for a number of years. Don was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Martin, and of the Shriners organization.
When Myron and Lyndal were off to college, Don and Val begin spending some of the winter time in Arizona, both enjoying the sunshine and exploring. Very sadly, after a wonderful marriage and partnership of 32 years, Val passed away in October, 1981. Later, in January 1992, Don married Deloris Miller. Don continued to farm, and as a hobby and with his love of animals, had accumulated miniature animals such as Hereford cattle, donkeys, goats, etc. Don later retired in 1991, after farming for 44 years. With the enjoyment of wintering in Arizona, Don, with Deloris, took on the fun and carefree role of snowbirds. Don loved greatly the life of a snowbird. He loved also to "tinker" with cars and had worked to restore a number of cars in Arizona, and in the summers at the farm. They were blessed with many friends in their retirement community in Quartzsite, Arizona. In meeting new people, they would ask Don what he had done for a living. Don simply stated, I was a "professional gambler" for 44 years. People were amazed and asked Dad for more details; in responding, Don said, "Well, I planted 44 wheat crops, and gambled each year that I would be able to have a successful harvest".

In the late spring of 2014, upon returning from Arizona, Don stated that is had been over 20 years since he has seen snow in South Dakota - simply amazing! In the summer of 2014, Deloris entered the nursing home in Martin, and later pass away in July 2016. During the time Deloris was in the nursing home, Don, as the extremely caring person that he was, visited Deloris for long hours most every day. Don entered the Bennett County Nursing Home in late March 2016, after the many years of hard work, fun times, and dedication to family and friends, and remained there until his calling by our Lord.

Services were held on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at the New American Legion in Martin, with Lisa Danielson, Pastor, Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church officiating. Vocal was graciously provided by Stuart Livermont. Burial was at the Martin Community Cemetery. Pallbearers included: Scott Nelson, Jeff Nelson, Ken Dirks, Darwin Dirks, Joe Welte, Garth Stephens, and Jory Stephens (Alternate).

Survivors include two sons, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, including: Son, Myron Nelson, Martin SD, family: Scott Nelson, Tulsa OK; Julie Stephens (Garth), Rapid City SD, and their children Jory, Jaden, Jacie; Jeff Nelson (Angela), Sioux Falls SD, and their children Allarie and Livia; Carrie Nelson, Sioux Falls SD. Son, Lyndal Nelson, wife Sally, Lino Lakes MN, and family: Amy Bobrofsky (Jay), Andover MN, and their children Alec and Alayna; Angela Boigenzahn (Adam), Savage MN; Anne Nelson, Lino Lakes MN.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Neeta Nelson, wife Valerie Nelson, brothers, LaVern Nelson, Leonard Nelson, and Gerald Nelson, and wife Deloris Nelson.

A memorial has been declared for the American Legion Post 240 in Martin. Please send any donations to the Bennett County Funeral Service, PO Box 65, Martin SD 57551.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation for Don's wonderful relatives and to the great friends in the Martin community and beyond.

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