Ace Nelson was born at Logan, Iowa, August 23, 1918, the son of Nels and Emelia Larson Nelson. He was raised at Logan where he graduated from high school with the class of 1938. He then furthered his education for one year at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. From January 14, 1941, until receiving his discharge with the rank of Technical Sergeant on September 8, 1945, Ace served his country in the United States Army Air Corps. Much of his tour of duty was spent in New Guinea. In 1946, Ace moved to Denison, Iowa, beginning his career with the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service. On June 22, 1953, Ace was united in marriage with Ruby Miller at Sioux City, Iowa. They made their home in Denison where they raised their family and Ace continued his career with the Soil Conservation Service until retiring in 1974. Following his retirement from the Conservation Service he was employed in Denison for Earl May Garden Center, built homes for Gene Zenk and was a groundskeeper for the Denison Little League. Ruby died January 13, 1993 and Ace continued to make his home in Denison where, in his spare time, he loved watching sporting events, gardening, reading and fishing. He was a 60 year member of the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, Ninus L. Hunt V.F.W. Post 2504, Monarch Booster Club, and for twenty-five years, he was active with the Denison Little League Program. Ace will be remembered as one of Denison’s strongest Monarch supporters and was honored by the school in 1994 with the renaming of the Floyd Page Relays to the Ace Nelson Relays. For the past several years Ace had resided at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison where his death occurred Sunday evening, November 28, 2010. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 92 years, 3 months and 5 days. Including his parents, Nels and Emelia Nelson and his wife, Ruby Nelson, Ace was also preceded in death by one daughter: Betty Beam; one great-grandson: Glen Allen Beam; three brothers: Raymond, Richard and Robert Nelson; and one infant sister. Those remaining to cherish his memory include two children and their spouses: Annette Nelson and Chris Burns of Indianola, Iowa, and John and Celia Nelson of Des Moines, Iowa; three grandchildren: Shad Beam and wife, Beth of Omaha, Nebraska, Amber Beam of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Adam Nelson of Orlando, Florida; one sister: Lucille and husband, Dr. J. M. Hennessey of Manilla, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family would like to extend their special thanks and gratitude to Eventide Lutheran Home for the years of wonderful care given to Ace and his family Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Albert Ervin officiating and his son, John Nelson serving as Eulogist. Music for the service was a recorded selection of the Denison Monarch School Fight Song “Hail to the Varsity”. Nancy Miles served as pianist. Honorary pallbearers included Rex Burk, Steve Speake, Scott Schurke and all past and present Lady Monarch Basketball Teams. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa. Following the services and Military Honors, the family invited everyone to join them in the church fellowship hall for a luncheon prepared and served by the United Methodist Women. After cremation rites were accorded, a private family inurnment was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home,
www.pfannebecker.com
, Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.