Obituary of Elmer "Junior" Nelson

Elmer “Junior” Nelson, age 89 of Blue Rapids, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2018 at the Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids.

He was born on January 9, 1929 in Keats, the son of Elmer Sr. and Alice (Cravens) Nelson.  He graduated from Leonardville High School in 1946.

On February 17, 1952, he was united in marriage to Delpha Jean Pfaff at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Winkler.  She survives of Blue Rapids.  They were blessed with three sons, Larry, Ronnie and Roger.

Junior was a lifetime farmer.  He and Delpha moved to Swede Creek in 1953 after the Tuttle Creek Dam relocated them from that area.  They were longtime members of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.  He was an avid sports fan.  He played softball, basketball, football and track.  He could tell you statistics of his kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews and most of the local kids and could always be seen walking the sidelines of his sons and grandsons football games.  He sat on the U.S.D. 384 School Board, Blue Rapids COOP, Swede Creek Township Board for many years and was a member of the Riley County Livestock Association.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Roger Nelson and wife Penny of Randolph; his daughter-in-law, Patty Nelson of Manhattan; five grandchildren, Heather Nelson and fiance Ross Olsen of Pueblo, Colorado, Garrett Nelson of Manhattan, Jesse Nelson and wife Kelli of University Park, Stacy Wurtz and husband Brian of Riley and Adam Nelson and wife Cassandra of Swede Creek; eight great grandchildren, Will, Olivia, Lucy, Rielyn, Cord, Claire (Lil Del), Brynlee and Watson and his brother Raymond Nelson and wife Millie of Riley.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Larry Nelson and Ronnie Nelson; one granddaughter, Ashley Nelson and his sister, Geneva Munson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 23, 2018 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, south of Barnes.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, northwest of Randolph.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery and may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.