Lonn W. Nelsen
July 7, 1941 — June 30, 2023
Lonn Walter Nelsen, 81, of Avoca, IA passed away peacefully after a long illness. Later that day, he assisted in lifting the clouds over his granddaughter's wedding and the family felt his presence.
Lonn was born on July 7, 1941 in Monrovia, California to Lola Lorene Carroll and Walter Nelsen. Lonn was the oldest sibling of Janiece Ronnfelt (Harold), Wayne Nelsen (Virginia), and Vaughn Nelsen (Janette). He attended AvoHa High School and graduated in 1959. Lonn drove truck for his uncle Henry Nelsen, 8-Way Express, Interstate Express and then Crete Carriers for more than 50 years.
Lonn met Theota Wise in the first grade and began dating while attending high school. On June 3, 1961 they married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Avoca. They went on to have six children: Marcia Shavlik (David) of Omaha, NE, Carrie Kern (Roger) of Aurora, CO, Angela McGinnis of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, Walt Nelsen (Melissa) of Troy, MO, Rachel Block of Avoca, and Sarah Hampton of Ankeny, IA.
Lonn is predeceased by his parents, sister Janiece Ronnfelt, and brother, Wayne Nelsen. He is survived by his brother Vaughn Nelsen, Omaha, NE, six children, 17 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. His grandchildren are Drake Nelsen (Chelsea), Dayton Nelsen, Devin (Emily) Nelsen, Dakota, McKinleigh, Dallen, Myah Asia-Rea, Melia Reyna-Gay, Madelynn Nelsen, Emily Young (Jeffrey) , Elizabeth Shavlik, Jennifer (Chris) Cuypers, Liam and Caroline McGinnis, Colton Block, Broderick and Lila Hampton. The great-grandchildren are Ella, Walter, and Henry Nelsen.
Lonn was born on July 7, 1941 in Monrovia, California to Lola Lorene Carroll and Walter Nelsen. Lonn was the oldest sibling of Janiece Ronnfelt (Harold), Wayne Nelsen (Virginia), and Vaughn Nelsen (Janette). He attended AvoHa High School and graduated in 1959. Lonn drove truck for his uncle Henry Nelsen, 8-Way Express, Interstate Express and then Crete Carriers for more than 50 years.
Lonn met Theota Wise in the first grade and began dating while attending high school. On June 3, 1961 they married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Avoca. They went on to have six children: Marcia Shavlik (David) of Omaha, NE, Carrie Kern (Roger) of Aurora, CO, Angela McGinnis of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, Walt Nelsen (Melissa) of Troy, MO, Rachel Block of Avoca, and Sarah Hampton of Ankeny, IA.
Lonn is predeceased by his parents, sister Janiece Ronnfelt, and brother, Wayne Nelsen. He is survived by his brother Vaughn Nelsen, Omaha, NE, six children, 17 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. His grandchildren are Drake Nelsen (Chelsea), Dayton Nelsen, Devin (Emily) Nelsen, Dakota, McKinleigh, Dallen, Myah Asia-Rea, Melia Reyna-Gay, Madelynn Nelsen, Emily Young (Jeffrey) , Elizabeth Shavlik, Jennifer (Chris) Cuypers, Liam and Caroline McGinnis, Colton Block, Broderick and Lila Hampton. The great-grandchildren are Ella, Walter, and Henry Nelsen.
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