Francis Dean "Bud" Nelson

Francis Dean "Bud" Nelson died on December 14, 2014, in Aberdeen, SD due to complications with the flu. He was 79.

Bud was born on September 19, 1935, in Hot Springs, SD to parents, Geddis & Dorothy Nelson. He joined the Army after graduating from Provo High School at Black Hills Ordnance Depot, Igloo, SD in 1953. Following boot camp in Camp Ripley, KS, he was deployed to Japan where he served in the Far East Honor Guard. In 1957, he was transferred to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, where he married Carol Thompson, a high school friend. He served in Korea where he distinguished himself by achieving first place in the 7th Army Military Stakes Competition.

From 1960 to 1963 Bud was an ROTC Instructor at the University of Southern Mississippi. Bud and his family were transferred to Germany where he served in the tank unit of the 64th Armored Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Schweinfurt. They moved to Bad Tolz where he was an instructor at the 7th Army NCO Academy. In June of 1966 they returned to the United States and he trained with the Counterintelligence Corps at Ft. Holabird, MD. Bud was deployed to Viet Nam and returned in 1967. He received his AA Degree from American River College in Sacramento, CA in 1970 and moved his family to Pierre, SD where he worked for SD state government in data processing. He became a full-time member of the SD National Guard in 1981 and was stationed in Flandreau, Brookings, Aberdeen and Hot Springs, retiring in 1989. He was employed at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center from 1989 to 1997. In 1998, Bud's right leg was amputated in Sioux Falls.

Bud is remembered for his pride and devotion to his family, his long-time commitment to his own physical fitness, long distance running and love of big game hunting with family and friends. His time of military service and the friends he gained there meant the world to him.

Grateful for having shared Bud's life are his wife, Carol; daughters Christi Mack (Glen) of Aberdeen; Shari Nelson of Grand Forks, ND; Shelly Courtney (Rob) of Sioux Falls, SD; brothers, Peter (Judith) Nelson, Robert (Aletha) Nelson and Arthur (Nancy) Nelson; and grandchildren, Jason Mack, Katy Mack, Alex McDonald, Rosie McDonald and Amber (Derek) Allen; three nephews and four nieces; and many loyal friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Carl Nelson; special aunt and uncle, Margaret (Pete) and Francis (Buster) Nelson and grandson Aaron Harris.

The family is planning a memorial service in the spring of 2015.