Thomas W. Nelson

Celebration of Life for Thomas “Tom” Warren Nelson will be at 1:30 pm Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Calvary Free Lutheran Church 213 North Highway 81, Arlington, SD with Pastor Seth Moen officiating. Visitation will be Friday, May 17, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Calvary Free Lutheran Church. A private inurnment will be in the North Preston Lutheran Cemetery. Thomas passed away Friday, May 10, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnson-Henry/Crawford Osthus Funeral Home of Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham.

Thomas “Tom” Warren Nelson was born July 10, 1953 to Wendell and Helen (Lakness) Nelson in Lake Preston.

He attended Baker #3 through 8th grade and high school in Lake Preston, graduating in 1971. He attended Golden Valley Lutheran College in Minneapolis. He was employed with the Lake Preston Co-Op Elevator and drove truck for H & I Grain before expending 26 years working at Lyle Signs in DeSmet.

Tom was married for 22 years and from this union his daughter Tiffany was born and son JC was adopted.

Tom enjoyed his time with his family on his acreage North of Hetland caring for his birds, raising sheep and silver fox, and later in life became devoted to his vineyard. He loved spending time with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren as well as golfing, eating lutefisk, and being active with his church and church family. He especially enjoyed the relationships he created with the Men’s coffee group on Wednesdays at Calvary Free Lutheran.

Tom had a strong faith that showed in all he did and said. He always wanted to be a light for others and live the way God taught us to live. He did this through caregiving to friends and family, spending every Sunday afternoon with his mother, and talking about how God and his faith got him through all things. From the moment of his diagnosis he said, “It’s in God’s hands.” Through this strong faith and his testimony to all he encountered- those of us still here are able to continue on and keep shining our light of faith.

 Tom was an avid Packers fan and shared his love of the Packers with his daughter and now granddaughter. Dan and Tiff were able to join Tom at his first NFL game between the Vikings and Packers and his first experience at Lambeau Field.

He is survived by his daughter, Tiffany (Dan) Runia and grandchildren, Jarrett and Hannah Runia, his mother, Helen Nelson, three brothers, David (Jean) of Hetland, Dennis (Shelley) of Brookings, and Jon (Cathy) Nelson of Lake Preston. Several aunts and uncles and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins and many friends and church family members.

He is preceded in death by his son JC Nelson and his father Wendell Nelson.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to: North Preston Lutheran Cemetery or Option 1 of Brookings.

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