Phil Wayne Nelson was born to George and Fern (Hill) Nelson at Cherokee, Iowa on April 23, 1946. He graduated from Sutherland Public High School.
On May 20, 1966 he married Donna Ebel at Primghar, Iowa and three children, Dawn, Ron and Todd were born to this union.
Phil served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968. He served in Vietnam and Cuba. He enjoyed the outdoors, working in his yard and garden and spending time with his granddaughters.
Phil was employed by Vander Haags, Inc in Spencer for many years. Failing health forced him to take an early retirement which was very difficult for him as he preferred being active and he truly enjoyed his work.
Mr. Nelson died, Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa. He was 63 years of age.
Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Dawn Schroder and her husband, Dan of Milford, son, Ron Nelson and his wife, Lisa of Spirit Lake and three granddaughters, Jereca & Makala Schroder, and Kaitlyn Nelson. Survivors also include his sister, Marlene Osborn and her husband, Bruce of Cylinder, Iowa and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Todd Nelson.