Brett Lee Nelson

Brett Lee Nelson (aka Stal, Jett, Daddio, Brettski), age 60, passed away on June 14, 2024, after six years of giving Alzheimer’s a heck of a run for its money.

Brett was born on December 9, 1963, the son of Roger and Sharon (Van Sloten) Nelson. He grew up on the family farm near Rowley, Iowa, where he excelled in several sports, including football and wrestling, and was an overall athlete in everything he did. He graduated from East Buchanan High School in 1982 and furthered his education at Wartburg College, where he earned a degree in marketing and finance. He moved to Des Moines shortly after college and began a dedicated career in insurance. Before his early retirement, he worked as a Sr. Internal Auditor for EMC Insurance Companies.

In 1988, Brett married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Vicki Gallery, and together they built a family and life filled with love, laughter, friendship, and fun. Brett was a devoted husband and father who was incredibly proud of his kids, Taylor and Kaitlyn. He was also an adoring friend to many. He would make a point to share his love with a hug or, more frequently, with a nickname and a “thank you very little.” Brett was passionate about the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, and every sport in which Taylor and Kaitlyn participated.

Brett is survived by his wife, Vicki Nelson, of West Des Moines, Iowa; son, Taylor (Samantha) Nelson, of Ankeny, Iowa; daughter, Kaitlyn (Tony Bockhaus) Nelson, of Waverly, Iowa; father, Roger (Cheryl) Nelson, of Farmington, Minnesota; sister, Sandy (Tom) Hirschauer, of West Des Moines, Iowa; brother, Scott Nelson, of Rowley, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends whose memories of Brett, inside jokes shared, and nicknames given will be forever cherished.

Brett was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Nelson; grandparents, Mervin and Grace Nelson, John Van Sloten, and Agnus Heronemus; and father-in-law, Joseph Gallery, all of whom were waiting for him at the Door to Heaven.

While we were forced to say goodbye to our beloved Brett much too soon, we are proud of the way he lived while he was with us. He loved big. He made us laugh. His smile lit up the room. We ask you to carry forward Brett’s legacy of liveliness by doing the same and passing his love forward.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway with a short prayer service at 5:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines followed by a luncheon. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family as they intend to use for Alzheimer research at Mayo Clinic and the University of Iowa.

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