The Funeral Service for Dennis R. Nelson, 83 of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Tuesday. July 9, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, South Dakota with Rev. Joshua Knudsen and Vicar Pat Schubert officiating. Organist will be Ollie Yost and soloist will be Lexy Schiferl. Pallbearers will be Kyle Steen, Tyler Medenwald, Ethan Medenwald, Lance Nelson Dylan Blinsmon, Jared Blinsmon, and Raleigh Janssen. Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Lee, Keith Lee, Leonard Fonder John Schaunaman, Paul Karst, and Maynard Anderson. Interment will be in Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. There will be visitation at Cahill Funeral Chapel on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. with a Prayer Service at 6:00 P.M. There will be visitation at Grace Lutheran Church one hour prior to the service. The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangement.

Dennis Russell Nelson, 83, of Sisseton, SD, passed suddenly at Tekakwitha on July 5th, 2024. He was a man of unwavering work ethic, always ready to lend a helping hand to a neighbor or friend, and his quick wit brought joy to those around him. Dennis, born in Sisseton on August 11th, 1940, to Raymond and Ruth (Martenson) Nelson, was a man deeply rooted in his family. He was a third-generation farmer on the family farm, which he cherished and was proud of. After graduating from Sisseton High School in 1958, Dennis married Judy Karst in Peever, SD, on December 15th, 1962. His dedication to his family set a high standard for everyone who knew him. Dennis was a well-known mechanic and owned Nelson Repair for nearly 50 years. He employed and mentored several young men throughout his years as a farmer, instilling in them the values of hard work and dedication. These were friendships that lasted a lifetime. Whether working in fields, riding snowmobiles, or getting his hands dirty restoring antique tractors, Dennis approached each task with dedication and skill. Dennis was known as "Big Red" for his 6'6 stature and curly red hair. He always wore a flannel shirt with suspenders and kept Beech-Nut in his pocket with a Diet Coke nearby. Dennis helped his community in many ways. His accomplishments include being treasurer for Grant Township for 51 years, serving on the Sisseton-New Effington Elevator board for 24 years, and maintaining the Sisseton Concordia Cemetery for over 40 years. He was also a dedicated South Dakota Century Farm and the Northeast Snowmobile Club (NETB) legacy member. Friends and family will dearly miss Dennis, but his roots will live in the land he resided on for 83 years and the machines he kept running.

Dennis leaves behind his wife, Judy; his children, Scott (Michelle) Nelson, Michele (Kevin) Medenwald, Gina (Brian) Steen, Tiffany (Josh) Brooks, and Rachel (Jon) Janssen; grandchildren, Kyle (Pam) Steen, Tyler (Missy) Medenwald, Brittany (Nick) Currence, Lexy (Caleb) Schiferl, Ethan Medenwald, Lance Nelson, Morgan (Kyle) Kanten, Dylan Blinsmon, Brianna (Taylor) Tol, Jared Blinsmon, Abby (Logan) Plath, Macy (Brennen) Longnecker, Raegan Janssen, Raleigh Janssen; great-grandchildren, Axel and Mali Medenwald, Andrew, Owen, and Ella Currence, Britta, Ellee and Parker Kanten, Aubrey Nelson, and Baby Tol.  In-laws, Patrick (Marsha) Karst of Pierre, SD, Ernie (Rhonda) Karst of Castlewood, SD, Carol (Mike) Fitz of Britton, SD, Karen (Ron) Erickson of Idaho, Paul Karst of Sisseton, SD, Kenneth (Bonnie) Karst of Watertown, SD, Debbie Karst of Missouri, and Rita Limina of Las Vegas.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, sister Delores Stanley, one brother Stanley Nelson, sister-in-law Kathy Karst, brother-in-law Jeff Karst and niece Kim Karst.