Dean Avery Nelson

Dean Avery Nelson, 88, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his residence.

A funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Goslar Funeral Home Chapel, Onawa, Iowa, with Jack Gibler, officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Kennebec Cemetery, Castana, Iowa, with Military Honors provided by the United States Army. A visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at the chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Dean Avery was born on March 30, 1934, to Nels and Lela (Lee) Nelson near Castana, Iowa. He grew up in Castana and graduated with the class of 1952. As a kid, Dean broke many horses on the farm. Dean was drafted in the United States Army and served from December 11, 1956. He was honorably discharged December 10, 1958. Dean enjoyed buying new cars every year and driving them to California to sell.

He worked at Irving F Jensen in Sioux City, Iowa, as a paving superintendent for over forty years until his retirement. Dean (Irving F Jensen) held the record for the State of Iowa by paving two miles on K-42 from Onawa to Whiting in one day.

He enjoyed horse racing, old cars, dominos, and garage sales. Dean had a passion for gardening and growing the first and biggest tomato of the season. He enjoyed his tractors the ‘49 Ford 8N and a ‘51 Farmall A. Dean loved spending time with his family. Later, he enjoyed drinking coffee with the boys.

Survivors include his children, Thomas Nelson of Bentonville, Arkansas, Chaddrick (Jan) Nelson of St. Louis, Missouri, Heath (Heather) Nelson of Onawa, Iowa, and Heather (David “Doda”) Pohlman of Ute, Iowa; grandchildren, Avery, Tristen, Tory, Kodiak, Jonathan, and Amber; sister-in-law, Bertha Nelson of Sloan, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Lela (Lee) Nelson; grandson, Brandon Stanton; and brothers, Burdette (Mabel) Nelson, Lawrence (Marguerite) Nelson, and Harold Nelson.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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