Luther Nelson
October 20, 2011
Luther Phillip Nelson, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown. A visitation has been scheduled for Sunday, October 23, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines. Funeral services will take place Monday, October 24 at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with a luncheon to follow. A graveside service will take place at 3:30 p.m., Monday at the Radcliffe Cemetery, Radcliffe, Iowa.
Luther was born on November 10, 1930 in Ellsworth, Iowa to Beatrice and Ingof Nelson. On March 11, 1956, he married long-time love Karen Stenberg, following seven years in the U.S. Army. After moving to Des Moines, he worked in the concrete business before starting his own company, Nelson Concrete Construction in 1960. Throughout his working days, Luther was known for quality workmanship and perfection on the job until he retired in 2002.
Luther was devoted to his family and loved spending time in his garden. He was a member of the Des Moines Elk’s, Shriner’s, and Amvets organizations.
Luther is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Karen and four children: Denise (Mike) Easley, Todd, Jodi (Dan) Doyle, and Heidi (Chad) Bouton, along with eight grandchildren. Oliva Wright, sister; Marion Reisetter, brother; half-sister, Doris Peterson; and brother-in-law, Ronald (Marilyn) Stenberg also survive. Numerous nieces and nephews will miss their uncle, too. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Kevin; sister, Lucille, and brothers, Bervin and David.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family to be distributed to organizations close to Luther’s heart.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Tom Reisetter
10/24/2011
Karen and family, Janis and I extend our sincere sympathy to you in the death of your husband, father, grandpa, and brother. I remember Luther as a hard working fun loving man. May God grant you peace and comfort. Sincerely, Tom in your
Doris Ann (Alsager) Danker
10/24/2011
You have my deepest sympathy Karen. I always enjoyed Luther especially at the class reunions. I know he and Dale, my first husband, really enjoyed each other at the reunions.
You are lucky to have the family to help you through this. I know he will be missed by many.
Doris Ann
John & Michelle McManus
10/24/2011
Todd and all,
So sorry to hear about Luther, he was quite the fighter. I'm sure he is now at peace. Our deepest sympathy goes to all of you. He will be missed.
John and Michelle McManus
Norene Williams
10/23/2011
Karen and Oliva, Please accept my sincere condolences in the loss of Luther. I have never forgotten him and think often of all of you and the past days in Radcliffe and Des Moines.
So sorry to hear of this. May god be with you in your sorrow.
Norene Cady Williams
Myra & Russ Phillips
10/23/2011
Karen and family, It is times like this that I wished we lived closer. We are so sorry to hear of your loss and we send our sincere sympathy to you and all of your family. Myra & Russ Phillips
Lisa (Fichtner) Knous
10/23/2011
Karen, We are all so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lisa Loesch
10/22/2011
Denise, We are all so sorry to hear about your dad's death, please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers this weekend. You can take comfort in knowing that your dad knew how much you loved him.
Your friends from
St.Lukes NICU
Terry Gruetzmacher
10/22/2011
Our deepest sympathy to Karen and family, and our thanks for Luther's service to our great nation. - Terry and Renae Gruetzmacher
Rod Fichtner
10/21/2011
Karen and family So sorry to hear of your loss. He fought a long hard battle.
Carolyn and I will see you this week end. Love you