Cecil Woodrow Nelson, 97, Sturgis, passed away on October 31, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital from a brief illness.

Visitation will be Friday from noon to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. Visitation will resume Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church in Lead.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 3, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Lead with Pastor Mark Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Cecil was one of nine children born to Charles M. and Cordelia (Burnett) Nelson on January 28, 1915, at Artesian, SD. He was married to Thelma (Sanmark) for 49 years until her death in 1986. He married Dakota (Threadgold) Hildebrandt on September 29, 1990, and they were married for 15 years until Dakota's death in 2005.

As a young man during the depression years, Cecil held several jobs, sometimes more than one at a time, to support his family. He farmed near Artesian until 1960 when he moved his family to Lead, SD, where he became a member of the Trinity Methodist Church, and entered into a new career as the owner-operator of a Sinclair station, and later as the owner-operator of the 76 Liquors in Deadwood, SD. After selling the liquor store he went into a home remodeling business with a lifelong friend, Ross O'Riley, Jr., until Ross's death.

Cecil then started enjoying his two favorite hobbies: woodworking and fishing. Cecil loved making wood projects for his family until his eyesight failed. He was an avid fisherman into his mid 90's, always challenging his fellow fishermen!

He is survived by his daughters, Shirley (Alan) Raby, Atlanta, GA, and Sharon (John) Narem, Lead, SD; one son, David (Linda) Nelson, Golden, CO; a step-daughter, Wanita Gravatt, Rapid City, SD; and a step-son, Wayne (Linda) Hildebrandt, Maywood, NE. Cecil had five grandchildren, Randy Raby, Shelly Parker, Kristi Sandal, Kathleen Palamara, and Chad Nelson; two step-grandchildren, Coral Erickson and Amber Miller; ten great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to Thelma and Dakota, Cecil was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl, Elmer "Curly", Charles, Grover, Meredith, and Milo; his sisters, Bessie and Louise; and his step-son, Scott Hildebrandt.

A memorial has been established for the Trinity United Methodist Church in Lead.

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