Elmer G. Nelson
October 26, 1918 — February 9, 2016
Elmer Godfrey Nelson, age 97, of Cypress Spring Lake, Scroggins, Texas, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2016, in Allen, Texas, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, conducted by Pastor Chad Huebner. Burial will follow the service at the Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his children, David (Elaine) Nelson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Donald (Susan) Nelson of Decorah, Iowa, Richard (Vicki) Nelson of Broomfield, Colorado, Randi (Buddy) Weaver of Allen, Texas and Suzanne Nelson, Frisco, Texas; one step-daughter, Dawn Miller of Grapevine, Texas; son-in-law, Jan Ryden of Hampton, Illinois; step-son-in-law, Sammy Rice, Richardson of Texas; nine grandchildren, Brad (Nancy) Ryden of Moorestown, New Jersey, Eric (Dawn) Ryden, Moline, Illinois, Jena (Joe) Benik, Allen, Texas, Christine (Geoff) Garrett of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jayson Nelson, North Liberty, Iowa, Shirlee (Chris) Taylor, Clear Lake, Iowa, Kevin (Lisa) Nelson, Decorah, Iowa, Lori (Michael) Vermeer, Parker, Texas, Brandi (Jeremy) Dahlquist, Murphy, Texas; eleven step-grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one nephew, Ed Nelson; and a niece.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joe Nelson and Allen Nelson; his first wife, Sylvia in 1977; his daughter, Sandra Ryden in 2014; step-daughters, Melody Rice and Rebelanne Harper; his second wife, Gwen in 2015; and nephew, Ted Nelson.
Elmer was born October 26, 1918, to George and Ethyl (Applegate) Nelson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated Roosevelt High School. After graduation, he began work with Collins Radio, later known as Rockwell Collins. In 1940, he married Sylvia Emery. Elmer, Sylvia and family enjoyed many long weekends and vacations boating and fishing at Lake Dehli where Elmer built a cabin. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He took pride in the fact that he had fished from Alaska to the Florida Keys. After several accommodations and promotions with Rockwell as Manufacturing Department Manager, Elmer would be transferred to Richardson, Texas, where Sylvia would pass away in 1977. Elmer later married Gwen Miller in 1982. After a 39 year career with Rockwell, Elmer retired and at that time he and Gwen built a lake house on Cypress Spring Lake where they lived until Gwen’s death in 2015. Elmer enjoyed reading and watching all sports, but particularly the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Mavericks. He served as President of the HOA for his community of Cypress Spring Lake. He also was an accomplished wood craftsman. He will be remembered as a strong, loving father and grandfather. He was respected for his fortitude and ethics. His family was an immense source of pride and joy for him, particularly after the loss of his second wife. He said the key to living a long life is to “keep moving”. Elmer was loved greatly and will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Lighthouse for the Blind, an organization Elmer greatly appreciated for helping him to continue to enjoy his love for reading after Macular Degeneration greatly reduced his vision. www.dallaslighthouse.org . Choose “serving our seniors.”
Survivors include his children, David (Elaine) Nelson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Donald (Susan) Nelson of Decorah, Iowa, Richard (Vicki) Nelson of Broomfield, Colorado, Randi (Buddy) Weaver of Allen, Texas and Suzanne Nelson, Frisco, Texas; one step-daughter, Dawn Miller of Grapevine, Texas; son-in-law, Jan Ryden of Hampton, Illinois; step-son-in-law, Sammy Rice, Richardson of Texas; nine grandchildren, Brad (Nancy) Ryden of Moorestown, New Jersey, Eric (Dawn) Ryden, Moline, Illinois, Jena (Joe) Benik, Allen, Texas, Christine (Geoff) Garrett of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jayson Nelson, North Liberty, Iowa, Shirlee (Chris) Taylor, Clear Lake, Iowa, Kevin (Lisa) Nelson, Decorah, Iowa, Lori (Michael) Vermeer, Parker, Texas, Brandi (Jeremy) Dahlquist, Murphy, Texas; eleven step-grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one nephew, Ed Nelson; and a niece.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joe Nelson and Allen Nelson; his first wife, Sylvia in 1977; his daughter, Sandra Ryden in 2014; step-daughters, Melody Rice and Rebelanne Harper; his second wife, Gwen in 2015; and nephew, Ted Nelson.
Elmer was born October 26, 1918, to George and Ethyl (Applegate) Nelson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated Roosevelt High School. After graduation, he began work with Collins Radio, later known as Rockwell Collins. In 1940, he married Sylvia Emery. Elmer, Sylvia and family enjoyed many long weekends and vacations boating and fishing at Lake Dehli where Elmer built a cabin. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He took pride in the fact that he had fished from Alaska to the Florida Keys. After several accommodations and promotions with Rockwell as Manufacturing Department Manager, Elmer would be transferred to Richardson, Texas, where Sylvia would pass away in 1977. Elmer later married Gwen Miller in 1982. After a 39 year career with Rockwell, Elmer retired and at that time he and Gwen built a lake house on Cypress Spring Lake where they lived until Gwen’s death in 2015. Elmer enjoyed reading and watching all sports, but particularly the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Mavericks. He served as President of the HOA for his community of Cypress Spring Lake. He also was an accomplished wood craftsman. He will be remembered as a strong, loving father and grandfather. He was respected for his fortitude and ethics. His family was an immense source of pride and joy for him, particularly after the loss of his second wife. He said the key to living a long life is to “keep moving”. Elmer was loved greatly and will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Lighthouse for the Blind, an organization Elmer greatly appreciated for helping him to continue to enjoy his love for reading after Macular Degeneration greatly reduced his vision. www.dallaslighthouse.org . Choose “serving our seniors.”
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