Robert James Nelson, 68, of Rapid City, SD, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2014 due to illness in the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD. He was in peace and surrounded by family as he passed.

Memorial Services for Robert will be on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at the Bowman Lutheran Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. Family will be present at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-7 p.m.

Born on September 20, 1945 to Earl and Emma (Zenker) Nelson on a farm near Scranton, ND. He attended Scranton Public School from 1st to 12th Grade, graduating in 1963. After graduation he worked on the family farm and did odd jobs until he started at Knife River Coal Company in 1970. He married Patricia (Graver) Henderson on March 19, 1971. Robert and Patricia had one daughter and three sons. They moved to Reeder, ND in 1973 and lived there until 1990 when they moved to Bowman, ND. After leaving Knife River in 1997, they moved to Rapid City, SD where he completed a degree in diesel mechanics. Robert enjoyed camping, hunting, gardening and reading. He was a volunteer fire fighter and was on the Reeder Park Board. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Emma Nelson, Brother and sister-in-law Roger and Betty Nelson, and granddaughter, Amanda Froistad. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Nelson, brothers, Darrel and Raymond (Mary): sister, Darlene Nelson, children: Ann Purdy (Nathan), Mike Nelson (Annie), James Nelson (Amy) and Colin Nelson (Patti). Grandchildren: Angela, Austin, Allison, Laura, Cain, Serissa, Russel (Stephanie), Casey, Robyn, Jonathan and Mary and Great Grandchild: Elijah and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services in charge of the arrangements