Jim Nelson

James Robert Nelson (Jim) entered eternal rest on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Jim was the father of four children, six grandchildren, and two great granddaughters. Because of his love for family and church, there are many who called him Grandpa or father.

Jim was born on January 5, 1938, in York, Nebraska, to Axel and Elsie (Nielson) Nelson. His family moved to Prescott, Iowa, soon after he was born. He had two older brothers, one older sister, and one younger brother. He graduated from Prescott High School in 1955, then went on to graduate from the University of Iowa with a BA degree in Pharmacy.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Patricia K. Ryan, in 1957, and together they moved to Winterset where he began his career at Montross Pharmacy, where he soon became part owner. During this time, he also served in the National Guard. Jim was part owner of the pharmacy until his retirement in 2004. He was also the pharmacist at the Madison County Hospital, where he recently received an award for one thousand hours of volunteering.

He served on many boards and committees over the years and received many awards. Some of his achievements include being the Chamber of Commerce President in 1966, being on the Covered Bridge Festival committee for ten years, serving on the County Board of Health for thirty-five years, and serving on the Board of Adjustment for fifty years. He also served on the Iowa State Extension Advisory Board, and the Council of Agriculture Education and Research. He was an American Red Cross chair, served on the Day Care Committee, and started the Chaplaincy Program in Madison County. The Lifeserve Blood Drive in Winterset was started by Jim many years ago. He loved community service, and was a charter member of Kiwanis, and was a Master Gardener helping start the Community Garden.

He was a very active member of the Winterset St. Paul Lutheran Church. There he started the Furniture Ministry, helping those in need with beds, dressers, and other items. In 1988, Jim received the Citizen of the Year Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, the Historic Preservation Award in 2007, the Jim and Pat Nelson Legacy Award in 2023, and most recently, the George Washington Carver Community Service Award for his love and service to the people of Madison County and Iowa.

James Nelson was a kind, compassionate man, and didn’t know a stranger. He loved his work at Montross Pharmacy and around the community, and he could remember everyone’s name that he served.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents, Axel and Elsie Nelson; his daughter, Kirsten; one sister; and two brothers.

As a loving father and grandfather, he leaves behind daughter, Stephne of Winterset; son, Scott (George) of Des Moines, and Ryan (Maggie) of Seattle; six grandchildren, Ashley Nelson, Haley and Colton Stonebarger (Kirsten’s), Bill and Dan Landis (Stephne’s), and Jamie Nelson (Ryan’s), and two great granddaughters, Alyssa (Ashley’s), and Natalia Landis (Bill’s).

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, March 28, 2025, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 29th at the church with burial to follow in the Winterset Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Jim & Pat Nelson Endowment Fund, 511 W. Benton St., Winterset.