Roger E. Nelsen, 73, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at his home in Flandreau. Roger was born January 6, 1943 at Dell Rapids, SD to Marinus and Tilda (Park) Nelsen. He attended DeVaney Country School and then began farming at his beloved homestead south of Colman, SD with his father. Roger worked at Greenlee Meat Packing and Halde Insulation in Sioux Falls while he continued to farm. Roger married Carole Langdon on September 19, 1964 at Luverne, MN. He started working at T & R Electric in 1983 where he was truly inspired and has continued to work. Roger married Joyce Dixon on December 10, 1988 in Flandreau. He retired from farming in the 1990’s. He was dedicated to his work. Roger enjoyed old cars including his Model A and Plymouth and his antique tractors that he restored and gardening.
Roger is survived by his wife Joyce, five children, Lynda (Tom) Evan, Chandler, AZ, Lisa Brown, Dell Rapids, Shelly (Tony) Baumberger, Colman, Keith Nelsen, Trent, Stacy (Robert) Hoffman, Dell Rapids, two stepdaughters, Yolanda (Dave Kingery) Dixon, Urbandale, IA, Nicole (Brian) VanBockern, Kansas City, MO, 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, sister Nellie Dissing, Colman, brother Russell (Shirley) Nelsen, Wahkon, MN and his T & R family and Flandreau coffee buddies. Roger was preceded by his parents, grandson Jason Elhoff, two brothers, Robert and Roy, and sister Helen Prudic.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Flandreau United Methodist Church with burial in the Colman Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm Friday with a 7:00 pm prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be left at www.skrochfc.com