Jerome "Jerry" Nelson

Jerome Nelson, age 96, of Sisseton, South Dakota passed away Sunday, December 4, 2022 at the Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton. He is now at peace and joining his wife Alice Nelson, parents Algot and Anna Nelson, and daughters-in-law: Judith Nelson and Susan Nelson, who preceded him in death.

A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Jerome “Jerry” Nelson was born on April 2, 1926 in Sisseton, SD. He graduated from Sisseton High School and enlisted in the US Army in November 1944 with the 36th infantry and served on the front lines in Central Europe. He was honorably discharged in November of 1946. After he was discharged, he met his wife of seventy-two years, Alice, in St. Paul, MN. They were married on July 8, 1947. The couple moved back to Sisseton before the birth of their first son.  After a few months, they moved to Seattle, Washington where Jerry worked for Boeing Aircraft. They relocated to Norwalk, California and after the birth of their fifth son, they decided that the city was not an ideal place to raise all those boys.  They ventured back to South Dakota in 1960 and bought a farm northeast of Sisseton, where they started their dairy farm. They went on to have a total of seven boys and one girl as well as adopting Alice’s nephew at the age of nine. The kids always joked that they kept on having more children because it was cheap labor.

It turns out he made a good decision, as life on the farm was a lot of work but was also a good place to raise a family. Jerry and Alice retired in 1988 and spent their winter months in Caliente Springs, CA and their summers on Lake Traverse. They enjoyed many trips and activities with friends and family and made many fond memories.

Although Jerry always seemed so tough on the outside, he also had a sensitive side as well. He loved his family and was very proud of them. Jerry had a good sense of humor and always a spunky attitude and will be missed by many, especially his kids and grandkids.

Jerome is survived by his children Terry of Piedmont, SD; Steve (Carol) of Albuquerque, NM; Michael (Carmen) of Raleigh, NC; adopted son Rick (Kathy) Berutco of Randel, WA; Patrick (Tricia) of Lennox, SD; Daniel (Joan) of Isanti, MN; Mark (Linda) of Sisseton, SD; Kevin (Julie) of Sisseton, SD; and Dawn (Chad) of Dumont, MN; his sisters: Joyce Aas of Watertown, SD; Ruthie (Dave) Grajczyk of Corona, CA; Karen (Robert) Taylor of Hot Springs, SD; and brother Roger (Carolyn) of Sisseton, SD; nineteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.