Nelson, Dennis E.

Dennis E. Nelson, 73, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Living Center West, Cedar Rapids. Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. The family will greet friends from noon until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 54 years, Sandra; two sons, Scott (Nancy) Nelson of Gilbert and Darin (Theresa) Nelson of Walford; five grandchildren, Ryan (Ashley), Emma, Isaac, Adam and Alex; two sisters, Peggy (Dale) Voigt and Penny Parde, both of Norfolk, Neb.; and a brother, Barry Nelson of Norfolk, Neb.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Patrick Nelson in September 2008; and a sister, Jackie Rebman.

Dennis was born Jan. 31, 1940, the son of Mervin and Pearl (Neilsen) Nelson in Maskell, Neb. He attended Norfolk Senior High School and then entered the United States Navy, where he worked in maintenance on a helicopter squadron in San Diego, Calif. and served on the U.S.S. Hornet. On Nov. 15, 1959, Dennis was united in marriage to Sandra Miller in Norfolk, Neb. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1978, returned to Nebraska in 2002, and moved back to Iowa when he retired. Dennis worked in sales in the agricultural business most of his life.

Dennis was involved in the support group for Parkinson's disease in Cedar Rapids. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, camping, going to the casino, watching his grandchildren play sports and was a Big Husker fan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a memorial fund to be established in memory of Dennis.

Please sign the online guest book for Dennis at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette June 24, 2013.