Richard (Rick) Wayne Nelson was born in Volga, SD to Martin T. and Helen Lundin Nelson. He was the third of four siblings. He attended Longfellow 56 Country School through third grade continuing on to Oldham School where he graduated in 1964. In high school, he was a star athlete in football and basketball. Rick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from General Beadle State College (Dakota State University, Madison, SD) in 1968. During his college years, he was a member of the college baseball team, usually playing third base. In the fall of 1968, Rick arrived in Bonesteel for his first teaching job, with clothes in the backseat of his car, to only stay the rest of his life! In addition to his business classes (accounting, business law, typing, general business, personal finance), he coached football, basketball, and track.

In 1969, the Bonesteel High School business teacher met the Fairfax High School business teacher, Jeanne H. Carlsen, daughter of Alfred K. and Vera Zeisler Carlsen, and they were married in a Christmas setting on December 26, 1970. The wedding trip was short, as basketball practice was the following Tuesday! One daughter, Nicole Jean Nelson, was born to this union. Grandson Nicolaus Tate Nelson later joined the family. Rick loved attending all the sporting events of Nicole and Nicolaus which included X-C, basketball, volleyball, track, softball, and baseball. He made arrangements to have a basketball court built for Nicolaus next to their garage.

Rick took some time off from teaching and worked at Gary Vogt and Sons Feed Store, the Carlsen Ranch, and established himself as an agent for DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance Company, selling property and auto insurance. He maintained his agency, Nelson Insurance, for 30 years. He knew all the clients and backroads to get to their properties, and enjoyed the work and banter with his clients! His speaking voice won over his wife, clients, and students.

Rick taught and coached at Andes Central High School in Lake Andes, SD for one year. His next teaching and coaching job was Butte High School, Butte, NE. He moved over to West Boyd High School, Spencer, NE where he continued teaching business and coaching, when the Butte High School closed.

During high school and college, Rick worked for Kermit and Patricia Folsland at their farm in Oldham, SD. He planted crops and sometimes helped at Folsland Apiaries. Rick disliked the bees, especially when they had to be moved during hot weather! Sometimes, he got set up! If Rick stayed out too late, Kermit would have him planting corn the next morning! Kermit and Pat were very influential people in Rick’s life, and they welcomed Jeanne into the fold after their marriage, establishing a lifelong friendship. For a time, Rick continued working at the farm during his summer breaks even after he started teaching!

After college, Rick played baseball for the Madison Broncos, played basketball with the town team, and golfed with his friends. Most weekends you could find Rick and his golfing buddies at a golf tournament! He liked playing cards and having coffee with his friends at the Teepee Cafe or McCarville Coffee Shop. He never lost his competitive edge!

In the 1980’s, Rick and Jeanne purchased part of the Carlsen Ranch wanting to keep the land in the family. Later they purchased a condominium in Sioux Falls, SD which enabled them to enjoy events in the Sioux Falls area. Whenever they had free time, they spent weekends or holidays in Sioux Falls.

Rick is survived by Jeanne (Jean) his wife of 55 years; daughter Nicole Jean Nelson (Brian Schmidt); grandson Nicolaus Tate Nelson, a University of Sioux Falls Junior; sister Mary Bush and family; sister Marcia (Leo) Schoeberl and family; brother Roger Nelson’s daughter Dawn and her daughters, and son Brian and his family; and sister-in-law, Charlene Carlsen Bringelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, in-laws, brother Roger Nelson and wife Mary; brothers-in-law Gene Bringelson, and Kenneth A. Carlsen; his Best Man and Lifelong friend, Jerry Bickett; friends, Gary Vogt, John Vogt, Sr., Jim Wagner, and Richard Zeisler, Jean’s cousin, who introduced Jean and Rick.

Rick passed away at the Lake Andes Care Center, having previously moved from the Butte Healthcare Center when it closed in March. Rick was a caring, compassionate man who was patient, kind, and willing to lend a hand whenever needed. He loved his family, friends, students, teaching, coaching, and selling insurance.

Funeral services for Richard "Rick" Nelson, age 79, of Bonesteel, SD will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Fairfax. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

In Lieu of Flowers - Donations may be made to the Bonesteel-Fairfax Ambulance Department or the Fairfax Fire Department.