Coach Frank Nelsen
d. December 6, 2024
Franklin Wilson Nelsen was born in Audubon, IA, on October 2, 1948, to Emmert and Margaret (Herron) Nelsen. He was the baby of 8 children, and according to most, his momma's favorite. He grew up mostly in Audubon, with a brief stint in Colorado Springs. Upon leaving Colorado Springs, he moved back to Audubon and graduated from Audubon High School with the class of 1967. While his brothers were all tough wrestlers, Frank thought wrestling was too easy and decided to pursue basketball instead. He was a multisport athlete in high school, participating in football, basketball, track & baseball. Upon graduation, Frank played football first at Iowa Central Community College followed by South Dakota State University - go Jackrabbits!
In his union with Ann Peters, he became the proud pappa to Joshua David & Jordan Leigh, the two lights of his life.
In the late 1970s, Frank became the 5th grade teacher and girls and boys high school basketball coach in Walnut. He realized quickly that boys didn't listen (his words), so he committed his life to coaching "the good ones" (again, his words). In the early 1980s, Frank began his decades long career in Avoca teaching 6th grade and P.E. and leading the Lady Vikes Basketball program. It's here where he became known simply as "Coach."
Coach was famous for his motivational quotes and posters. One of his favorite lines was
"winners work and workers win." He led his life and his athletes with this philosophy. Coach is quoted in a 2020 KSOM article saying he enjoyed "watching kids improve and getting better all the time, and not being afraid of hard work. They just continually worked, and they'd get better, and all of a sudden they wanted to be even better. It was just fun. They made it fun. They made my life so fast I don't even know where in the heck time went." With his emphasis on hard work, he took two incredible teams to the Iowa High School Girls Basketball State Tournament in 1993 & 2001. While he has won several awards and accolades on the court, he will be remembered most for the life lessons he taught us off the court.
In 2005, he married his MAAAAR! If you know, you know. She was the love of his life, and not a day went by where he didn't express that. Coach was known for his incessant teasing, crazy nicknames, loud whistles, walking his dog while driving his vehicle, silly dance moves, and zest for life. He was one of a kind, and will be truly missed by all.
Frank passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the age of 76 years, 2 months and 4 days. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Jordan; parents, Emmert & Margaret; siblings Arnie, Marie, Don & Phyliss; other family: Ben Myers, Robert Rattenborg, Betsy Nelsen, numerous other nieces, nephews and great friends.
Left to revel in the many hilarious and heartwarming stories are his family: wife of 19 years Marlene (Peterson) Nelsen of Avoca; children Josh (Janese) Nelsen of Daphne, Alabama, Linsey (Evan) McCarthy of Avoca; siblings Darrell (Sue) Nelsen, Audubon, Tom Nelsen, Coon Rapids, and Vitta Rattenborg, Audubon; grandchildren Josh Osborn, Chicago, IL, Justin Osborn, Las Vegas, NV, Brady Nelsen, Daphne, AL, and Flynn, Kellan & Mara McCarthy, Avoca; many other relatives, friends and his beloved Lady Vikes across the country.
In his union with Ann Peters, he became the proud pappa to Joshua David & Jordan Leigh, the two lights of his life.
In the late 1970s, Frank became the 5th grade teacher and girls and boys high school basketball coach in Walnut. He realized quickly that boys didn't listen (his words), so he committed his life to coaching "the good ones" (again, his words). In the early 1980s, Frank began his decades long career in Avoca teaching 6th grade and P.E. and leading the Lady Vikes Basketball program. It's here where he became known simply as "Coach."
Coach was famous for his motivational quotes and posters. One of his favorite lines was
"winners work and workers win." He led his life and his athletes with this philosophy. Coach is quoted in a 2020 KSOM article saying he enjoyed "watching kids improve and getting better all the time, and not being afraid of hard work. They just continually worked, and they'd get better, and all of a sudden they wanted to be even better. It was just fun. They made it fun. They made my life so fast I don't even know where in the heck time went." With his emphasis on hard work, he took two incredible teams to the Iowa High School Girls Basketball State Tournament in 1993 & 2001. While he has won several awards and accolades on the court, he will be remembered most for the life lessons he taught us off the court.
In 2005, he married his MAAAAR! If you know, you know. She was the love of his life, and not a day went by where he didn't express that. Coach was known for his incessant teasing, crazy nicknames, loud whistles, walking his dog while driving his vehicle, silly dance moves, and zest for life. He was one of a kind, and will be truly missed by all.
Frank passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the age of 76 years, 2 months and 4 days. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Jordan; parents, Emmert & Margaret; siblings Arnie, Marie, Don & Phyliss; other family: Ben Myers, Robert Rattenborg, Betsy Nelsen, numerous other nieces, nephews and great friends.
Left to revel in the many hilarious and heartwarming stories are his family: wife of 19 years Marlene (Peterson) Nelsen of Avoca; children Josh (Janese) Nelsen of Daphne, Alabama, Linsey (Evan) McCarthy of Avoca; siblings Darrell (Sue) Nelsen, Audubon, Tom Nelsen, Coon Rapids, and Vitta Rattenborg, Audubon; grandchildren Josh Osborn, Chicago, IL, Justin Osborn, Las Vegas, NV, Brady Nelsen, Daphne, AL, and Flynn, Kellan & Mara McCarthy, Avoca; many other relatives, friends and his beloved Lady Vikes across the country.
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