Jeffrey Dan Nelson

Jeff's funeral service will be live streamed at: www.rushcityfirstlutheran.org Click on Worship on Line.

Jeff Nelson of Rush City passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021 at M Health Fairview-Southdale in Edina at the age of 67.

Jeffrey Dan Nelson was born December 3, 1953 to Clayton and Norma (Powell) Nelson in Rush City, Minnesota.

Jeff was raised and educated in Rush City.  On December 14, 1978, Jeff married the love of his life, Kathy Higgins.  The couple has spent their entire married life in Rush City on his family farm.

Jeff always had a love for farming; he thrived caring for the land and his animals.  Having dairy cows was his primary occupation until 1986.  Although he had a few jobs throughout his life to pay the bills; working at Reliable Machine, 3M, Fox Engineering, Blaco Machine and Engineered Finishing Corporation; farming was always in his blood.  He continued to farm after retiring in December of 2015.

Even though Jeff was known as a farmer, it was his second love.  His first love was always his family.  Jeff's immense love of Kathy was obvious to anyone who knew them.  That love was only rivaled by becoming "Papa."  As a father he was known as a stern disciplinarian, but that grizzly bear melted into a teddy bear when handing out lollies to his grandchildren.

In 1997, Jeff was introduced to trail riding where his tiny circle of friends grew much larger.  He was quickly hooked and soon had a herd of "hay burners" to call his own.  Like most things in his life, Jeff learned and mastered horse care very quickly.  Although he had his limitations, Jeff was mostly his own mechanic, farrier, vet, plumber, logger, electrician, carpenter, and all-around handyman.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathy Nelson of Rush City; children Maggie (Randy) Hensley of Pleasanton, KS, Ben (Amber) Nelson of Hazen, ND, Becki (Eric) Brown of Rush City, Danielle (Ricky) Carlson of Rush City; grandchildren Tammy, Brandon, Martina, Ryan, Samantha, Randi and Summer Hensley, Grace, Faith and Trinity Nelson, Taya and Addison Brown, Audrey, Clayton and RaeLynn Carlson; brother LeRoy (LaVern) Nelson of Flensburg; brothers-in-law Chuck (Diane) Higgins of Sandstone, Mike (Jackie) Higgins of North Branch, Patrick (Mary) Higgins of White Bear Lake, Ron Teeman of Rock Creek; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clayton and Norma Nelson; father-in-law and mother-in-law Stanley and Marge Teeman; brother-in-law Alan Higgins; sister-in-law Cindy Teeman.

Pastor Nathan Baker-Trinity and Pastor Tim Adams will officiate at funeral services for Jeff: 11 AM; Friday, November 12, 2021 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City.  A time for family and friends to gather is planned from 6-8 PM; Thursday (11/11/21) at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and also one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Funeral Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com