Carl “Jim” James Nelson

Carl “Jim” James Nelson

Carl “Jim” James Nelson
January 1, 1947 – March 31, 2021
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 74

Carl James “Jim” Nelson 74 passed away March 31st, 2021 following a valiant battle with a chronic medical condition. Jim was born on January 1, 1947, in Pella, Iowa, to Martin Victor Nelson and Gladys Jean (Veenman) Nelson.

On June 29, 1966, Jim married the love of his life, Diane Joosten at the First Reformed Church in Pella. They have three daughters, Stacey, Kimberly, and Tara.

As a young man he raised and showed pigeons. Jim graduated from the Pella Community High School with the class of 1965, he attended the United Electronics Institute in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jim worked for Al Wanders at Wander’s TV. He and Gary Van Vark purchased the business from Al. A few years later, he became the sole owner. In the 1970s he was a member of the police reserve unit. In 1980, Jim joined the Pella Police Department as a full-time police officer and sold Wander’s TV. He started the community service program there. In lieu of a fine, the judge would order community service for juveniles and adults. Jim felt it was more effective for people to work off their penalty rather than pay a fine. He retired at the rank of assistant chief in 2002. Following his retirement, Jim volunteered at the Vermeer windmill and historical village. Lastly, he was as a driver for De Jong Greenhouse.

Jim enjoyed hunting and began collecting guns. Later he began collecting items produced by Winchester, especially flashlights. He collected Lionel trains and designed an elaborate layout. Jim & Diane enjoyed visiting antique shops and flea markets. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. In 2014, he and Diane moved to Oskaloosa to be closer to their daughters which proved to be a blessing when he became ill. He was a life-long member of Second Reformed Church in Pella. In retirement he spent many hours tending to the building and grounds as a volunteer at the church. They attended Fellowship Bible Church after moving to Oskaloosa.

He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years and his three daughters and their families: Stacey and David Gleason and Zachary Jones of Oskaloosa, Kimberly and Jerry De Boef and Kassie (fiancé́ Brendan Murray), Tara, Ayden, Jenna and Libby of Oskaloosa, Tara and Zachary Loeffler and Liam and Zoey of Cedar Rapids. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara (John) Frank and nieces Gina Van Ginkel and Kristin Rutherford, and sister-in-law Beverly (Jaren) De Penning and niece Paula Bierle, and special cousins Pamm Menninga and Jann Goodyk.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws Stephen Joosten and Pauline Joosten Vander Zyl, brother-in-law Curtis Joosten and Curtis’ daughter Carol, and niece Becky De Penning McIlrath.

The family would like to thank all the medical professionals who cared for Jim throughout his illness: University of Iowa Digestive Health Services especially Dr. Silverman and Dr. Brown
Mahaska Health Partnership, Dr Riggs, Dr. Breon and staff, Davita Kidney Care staff, Dr. Blom at the Pella Regional Medical Center and the Mahaska County Hospice.

Visitation for Jim will open on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 12 noon in the Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa. The family will be at the church Monday evening from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
A private family graveside service will be held in the Graceland Cemetery in Pella.

Memorials may be made to Love INC of Mahaska County.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Carl “Jim” James Nelson please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.

Posted by on Apr 3 2021. Filed under Obituaries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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