Walter Kevin Nelson, 66, of Ottawa, Illinois went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 4, 2023.
Visitation will take place on Friday, November 10, 2023, from 4 until 7 PM at Mueller Funeral Home 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, Illinois. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 11 at 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church 717 Chambers Street, Ottawa, Illinois. The celebration of life will be officiated by Pastor Phillip Potaczek and Pastor Cameron Graper.
Kevin was born in Freeport, Illinois January 18, 1957, to Walter G. and Lavonne M (Klenz) Nelson. He was raised on the family farm near Mt. Carroll, Illinois. He graduated from Lanark High School in 1975 and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, where he was active in Delta Phi fraternity, rodeo, and ag. Kevin was an agronomist, Certified Crop Advisor, and Certified Professional Soil Scientist.
He married Marjorie Smith at the Methodist Church in Frankfort, IL on September 1, 1985. They have two sons: Daniel Gilbert in 1985 and William Henry (Ashley) in 1990. He was very proud of them both as well as his favorite daughter Ashley (Will’s wife). Then came the treasured granddaughters: Gwendolyn Joyce, Alyvia Sue, and Adelaide Marie. He loved to watch their activities and help them with their home school lessons.
Kevin was a kind and gentle man. He loved people. He always made a point to learn people’s names. It didn’t matter if it was the president of a company or the bus person in a restaurant, he wanted them to know they were important to him.
Kevin was a Ham Radio Operator. He loved to help with communications at marathons, bike rides, and emergencies. He was a member of the Ottawa FFA Alumni. He founded a consulting company, Prairie Agronomics, he became an FFA-licensed drone operator. He had lots of fun with that.
He had a passion for photography, especially documenting agriculture. He photographed corn cribs, barns, windmills, fence posts, and silos. Before he got sick, he and Marj would go on photo “safaris” across the countryside. Any trip could be counted on for a “leisurely” ride home.
He and Marj attended Trinity Lutheran Church and Kevin was a big part of the Growing Hope Globally Ottawa-Barrington growing project. He took 2 trips to Nicaragua to meet farmers and learn better farming methods through the project. He made friends there too. Both he and Marj were also a part of the music ministry at TLC.
Kevin is survived by his mother, his wife, his sons, and granddaughters, as well as his brother, Leslie (Michaela). Also survived by His brothers-in-law, Tom (Dianne) and Charlie (Peggy) Smith. Step Sister-in-law Anne (Martin) Jones and Step Brother-in-law John (Sue) Randall. Many nieces and nephews, many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Walter. Special thanks to the staff at Pleasant View Lutheran Home for their loving care.
Honorary pallbearers will be Alyssa Nelson, Tom Nelson, Todd Smith, Eric Smith, Jon Smith, Andrew Smith
The family asks that memorials go to Trinity Lutheran Church for either the Growing project or the music ministry, Ax Church (944 First St., LaSalle IL 61301), the Ottawa FFA (212 E Main St., Ottawa IL 61350) or Polo FFA (100 Union Ave., Box 305 Polo, IL 61064) or the International Crane Foundation (E11376 Shady Lane Rd., Baraboo, WI 53913)
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433