Elmer Nelson

ELMER NELSON

Cedar Rapids

Elmer Godfrey Nelson, 97, of Cypress Spring Lake, Scroggins, Texas, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Allen, Texas, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, conducted by Pastor Chad Huebner. Burial will follow the service at Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his children, David (Elaine) Nelson of Cedar Rapids, Donald (Susan) Nelson of Decorah, Richard (Vicki) Nelson of Broomfield, Colo., Randi (Buddy) Weaver of Allen, Texas, and Suzanne Nelson of Frisco, Texas; a stepdaughter, Dawn Miller of Grapevine, Texas; a son-in-law, Jan Ryden of Hampton, Ill.; a stepson-in-law, Sammy Rice of Richardson, Texas; nine grandchildren, Brad (Nancy) Ryden of Morristown, N.J., Eric (Dawn) Ryden of Moline, Ill., Jena (Joe) Benik of Allen, Texas, Christine (Geoff) Garrett of Cedar Rapids, Jayson Nelson of North Liberty, Shirlee (Chris) Taylor of Clear Lake, Kevin (Lisa) Nelson of Decorah, Lori (Michael) Vermeer of Parker, Texas, and Brandi (Jeremy) Dahlquist of Murphy, Texas; 11 stepgrandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a nephew, Ed Nelson; and a niece.

Elmer was born Oct. 26, 1918, to George and Ethyl (Applegate) Nelson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Roosevelt High School. After graduation, he began work with Collins Radio, later known as Rockwell Collins.

In 1940, he married Sylvia Emery. Elmer, Sylvia and family enjoyed many long weekends and vacations boating and fishing at Lake Delhi, where Elmer built a cabin. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He took pride in the fact he had fished from Alaska to the Florida Keys.

After several accommodations and promotions with Rockwell as manufacturing department manager, Elmer would be transferred to Richardson, Texas, where Sylvia would pass away in 1977. Elmer later married Gwen Miller in 1982. After a 35-year career with Rockwell, Elmer retired, and at that time he and Gwen built a lake house on Cypress Spring Lake, where they lived until Gwen's death in 2015.

Elmer enjoyed reading and watching all sports, but particularly the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Mavericks. He served as president of the HOA for his community of Cypress Spring Lake. He also was an accomplished wood craftsman.

He will be remembered as a strong, loving father and grandfather. He was respected for his fortitude and ethics. His family was an immense source of pride and joy for him, particularly after the loss of his second wife. He said the key to living a long life is to "keep moving." Elmer was loved greatly and will be missed.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joe Nelson and Allen Nelson; his first wife, Sylvia, in 1977; his daughter, Sandra Ryden, in 2014; stepdaughters, Melody Rice and Rebelanne Harper; his second wife, Gwen, in 2015; and nephew, Ted Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Lighthouse for the Blind, (www.dallaslighthouse.org; choose "serving our seniors"), an organization Elmer greatly appreciated for helping him to continue to enjoy his love for reading after macular degeneration greatly reduced his vision.

Please share a memory of Elmer at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.