Leland Leroy Nelsen was born on November 30, 1943 in Spencer, IA, the son of Marvin and Lillie (Christensen) Nelsen. He grew up on a farm north of Ruthven and received his education at Lake Center School. He served his country for four years in the military which included one year in Korea and thirteen months in Vietnam.

After returning from Vietnam, Leland worked for various companies, Hyline Hatchery, Midwest Builders, Cyanimid and Morton Building, all in Spencer. He then moved to Kenton, Ohio to manage a Morton Building. After a few years, he returned to Spencer and worked at Northwest Glass Company until his health forced him to retire.

He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all sports on TV. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting and fast pitch softball.

Leland passed away on August 4, 2007 at his home in Lake Park, Iowa at sixty-three years of age.

He is survived by two daughters, Wendy Padilla, her husband, Jose and their children Jacob, Sarah and Isabella of Altoona, WI; Ann Marie Schroeder and her daughter, Abigail of Owatonna, MN; sisters, Marjorie Hale, Norma and her husband, Duane Dotson of Spencer, IA, Stella Stahly and her husband Dick of Lake Park; brothers, Harold Nelsen and his wife, Carol of Ute, IA and Dan Nelsen and his wife Mary of Spencer, IA; 9 nephews, 7 nieces and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ronald Nelsen, brother-in-law, Clyde Hale, niece, Sharon Voss and a great-nephew, Kevin Locker.

IN LOVING MEMORY
Leland L. Nelsen
November 30, 1943
August 4, 2007

SERVICES
Turner Funeral Home
Lake Park, Iowa
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 1:30PM

CLERGY
Pastor Donna Gray

MUSIC
How Great Thou Art
Doug Stahly, soloist
Jeanine Gunderson, organist


I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at close of day
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friend shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I’ve savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your hearts and share with me
God wanted me now.
He Set Me Free.