Funeral Service for Eugene Nelson, 89 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 10:30 AM at the Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD with Pastor Greg Gahan officiating. Organist will be Gloria Slaamot, with special music by Irvin Slaamot and April Moen. Pallbearers will be Dean Jensen, David Jensen, Wayne Jensen, Sherri McDonnell, David Hovland, and Calvin Hills. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Eugene's Family and Friends. Interment will be in the Zoar Lutheran Cemetery, Grenville, SD at a later date. There will be visitation at the Cahill Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 from 1:00 to 7:00 PM with family present 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Eugene Nelson was born to Martin and Alma (Hendrickson) Nelson, about eight miles south of Waubay, SD on April 16, 1920. At the age of three he moved with his parents and sister to One Road Township. Eugene was united in marriage to Jeanette Hovland on June 21, 1942 at Bethel Lutheran Church. He farmed with his father until his parents moved to Sisseton in 1944. He liked to farm, and he liked to be outdoors and help his sons-in-laws with their farming. Eugene was a member of Zoar Lutheran Church until it closed and later he joined Saron Lutheran Church where he was the treasurer and a trustee. In 1975 when his father was unable to be cemetery care-taker for Zoar Cemetery, Eugene did it for many years. Eugene served as treasurer of One Road Township for many years. Jeanette passed away on May 30, 2000. Eugene passed away on December 26, 2009 at Sanford Hospital, Webster, SD.
Eugene is survived by one daughter, Joanne and husband, Donovan Jensen of Eden, SD; one son-in-law, Herbert Jensen of Langford, SD; four grandchildren, Dean and Michelle Jensen of Watertown, SD; David and Amie Jensen of Woodbury, MN, Wayne and Jennifer Jensen of Rochester, MN and Sherri and Brady McDonnell of Rapid City, SD; three great grandchildren.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Alma Nelson, his wife, Jeanette, one daughter, Marilyn and one sister Irene.