Nelson “Nels” LeVan, 86, of Dell Rapids passed away Sunday, October 18, 2015. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM Friday, October 23, 2015 at East Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Baltic, SD. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. Condolences may be left at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.
Nelson was born December 7, 1928 to Nelson, Sr. and Helen (Wertman) LeVan in Montgomery, PA. Nels graduated from Muncy High School in 1946. Nels’ work history include working for a farm co-op, bulk plant manager and territory salesman in the Pennsylvania and New York area. In 1957 he moved to Ohio where he went into the insurance industry. In 1959 he moved to Minneapolis, MN where he continued in the insurance business and eventually opened his own agency, A&L Associated, Inc. in 1964. Nels sold his business in 1969 and moved to Scottsdale, AZ where he continued in sales. In 1971 he moved to Sioux Falls where he and his wife, Lee ran Baltic Corner. In 1975 he went into the liquor industry, retiring as a liquor representative in 1994. Nels and Lee took Baltic Corner over again until their retirement in 2004.
Nels enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating in his earlier years. In his later years he liked golfing, bowling, playing pool and his pets. Nels loved spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids. He was an avid Pittsburg Steelers and Minnesota Twins fan.
Nels is survived by his wife, Lee, Dell Rapids, SD; children, Brian (Leslie) LeVan, Litchfield Park, AZ, Cheryl (Jim) Lakes, Williamsport, PA and Gail (Gary) Barto, Hughesville, PA. Children, Randy (Laura) LeVan, Erie, PA, Michelle (Joe) Daughterty, Newcastle, PA and Ric (Cheyenne) LeVan Mozingo, Cortland, OH. Sons, Kevin LeVan, Sioux Falls, SD and Tim (Patti) LeVan, Bradenton, FL. Daughter, Elizabeth (Mark) Rogers, Dell Rapids, SD. Nels is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren but those closest to him due to locale include grandchildren, Alyssa (Aaron) Johnson, Humboldt, SD, Hayley, Andrew, Riiker and Castynn Rogers, Dell Rapids, SD. Granddaughters, Lisa LeVan, Sioux Falls, SD and Alexis (Will) Kolb, Sioux Falls, SD. Granddaughter, Kaitlin Gnadt, Sioux Falls, SD.
Nels was preceded in death by his parents; son, Sheldon LeVan and other in-laws.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to East Nidaros Lutheran Church or the Human Society.