Norman Fredrick Aaron Nelson, the son of Lester A. and Pearl F. (Linquist) Nelson, was born March 15, 1935, in Montgomery County, Iowa. He passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Arlington Place, Red Oak, Iowa, at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 9 days.

Norman graduated from Coburg Consolidated School in 1953. He furthered his education at Nebraska Teachers College (University of Nebraska Kearney) Kearney, Nebraska, graduating in 1957. As a youth, Norman was involved in 4-H and showed beef calves, which paid for much of his college tuition, board, and room. Norman served in the Iowa Army National Guard, training in Camp Leonard Wood in Missouri, and Fort Ord in California. He taught students at Wales-Lincoln School for two years, 1959-1960. On June 11, 1960, Norman was united in marriage to Joanne Bjorkquist at Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman. This is the church Norman attended growing up and Joanne's father was the pastor at the time of their marriage. Norman began teaching in the Red Oak Community Schools in 1960 and retired in 1990. He taught business education and started the summer driver's education program in 1960, which he taught for many years. Norman was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, serving on the church board including as president and financial secretary for 8 years. He was a member of the Lions Club and held positions as president, vice president and director. Norman enjoyed investing in the stock market and was a member of several investment clubs over the years. He loved sports, lettering 3 years in both baseball and basketball in high school and also coached little league. Norman was a member of the Red Oak Country Club since 1970 and enjoyed playing golf on the senior golf outings on Mondays. He and Joanne loved to travel, having visited all fifty states, most European countries along with Greece, Turkey, and China. They enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona from 1996-2019, and enjoyed playing golf, 8-ball pool, bridge and their Friday night cod suppers with friends.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Allen Nelson; sisters: Nadine Liljedahl and Lois Gilman; and sister-in-law, Eleanor Bjorkquist.

Norman is survived by his wife, Joanne Nelson of Red Oak, IA; three sons: Steve (Dana) Nelson of Urbandale, IA, Mark (Laurie) Nelson of Prole, IA and Chris (Cathy) Nelson of Atlantic, IA; 8 grandchildren: Greg (Alyssa) Nelson, Ryan (Emily) Nelson, Rachel (Jacob) Powell, Kelsey Nelson, Jessica (Nate) Evans, Madison (Garrett) King, Ben (Bre) Nelson and Kyle (Grace) Nelson; 11 great-grandchildren: Cambryn, Case, Drake, Meyer, Callen, Emery, Elliott, Samuel, Aidan, Elouise and Elaina; brother-in-law, David Bjorkquist of Minneapolis, MN; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak, Iowa
Burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa

Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak, IA.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Norman's arrangements and serving his family.