Jerry E. Nelson, 81

Jerry E. Nelson, 81, a longtime Sioux Falls resident, entered into his Heavenly home on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Dougherty Hospice Care Center.

A visitation with the family was held at Miller Funeral Home Downtown at 507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls from 5:00-7:00 p.m., on Friday, August 29, 2025. The funeral service took place on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., at the same location, with a reception following. Private interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls.

Jerry was the oldest of four sons of the late Lois and Eugene Nelson, also of Sioux Falls, and was born September 16, 1943, in Audubon, IA. Lois and Jerry left Audubon shortly after his birth to rejoin Eugene, who was in the Army Air Corps stationed at Selmon Field Navigation School, in Monroe, LA. The family, now two boys, moved to Sioux Falls in December 1945 where Eugene was a meteorologist at Joe Foss Field.

Jerry attended Lackey School, a one-room country school through eighth grade, then on to Axtel Park Junior High School and graduated from Washington High School with brother Victor in 1963. In 1967, Jerry along with younger brother, Norman, moved with family to Valentine, NE. Jerry worked as a custodian at the hospital while living in Valentine.

Jerry returned with family to Sioux Falls in 1973. In 1974, Jerry began working as a school custodian with the Sioux Falls Independent School District. He retired in 2019 after 45 years of service. Most of his 45 years were spent at Oscar Howe Elementary School in Northwestern Sioux Falls. Jerry’s favorite hobby was attending craft shows and making crafts out of various materials, which he enjoyed giving to friends and relatives. He had more patience than most people and loved repairing old clocks, usually getting them to run again. He had over 80 clocks in his collection. Like his three brothers, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, starting at age 24, and continuing throughout his life. He was still riding up until his recent hospitalization. He also enjoyed collecting old coins for his coin collection. Jerry also enjoyed his many visits to cousins and friends in western Iowa, as well as visits back to friends in Valentine.

Jerry enjoyed annual visits to brother Randy in Texas, and brother Norman in Montana, for many years. Jerry was a quiet and reserved person most of the time, especially in a group, but when alone one-on-one, he could carry on a good conversation.

He enjoyed the family Christmas get-togethers in Sioux Falls. He enjoyed watching his favorite Western television shows during his retirement years. Although he may have had some unusual habits, and was very thrifty with money, you would never hear him make a negative remark about anyone. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by his family and friends.

Jerry is survived by brothers Victor (Pam), Sioux Falls, Randy (Jackie), Ovilla, TX, Norman (Karen) Bozeman, MT; along with nieces Kim Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD, Lisa (Michael) Kilawee, Amherst, WI, Randa (Badih) Delati, Frisco, TX, Stephanie (Michael) Scott, Palmer, TX, Jessica Jackson, Ovilla, TX; nephews Shawn (Jennifer) Nelson, Mesquite, TX, and Nik McLaughlin, Belgrade, MT; along with 14 cousins. The family would like to thank the staff at Dougherty Hospice House for their excellent care of Jerry during his final days.

For obituary and online registry please visit www.millerfh.com.