John N. Nelson, 81, Sturgis, died Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Bear Butte Cemetery with Chaplain Charley Conger officiating. Family and friends may gather at Kinkade Funeral Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery.

John was born October 23, 1926, at Ft. Meade, SD, at the home of family friends, to Nels and Birget (Lunda) Nelson. He grew up in Sturgis and worked at Homestake on the tram-way. He later ran a second hand store in Sturgis. John married Donna McClean in Lead, SD, on Thanksgiving Day in 1948.

John was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Survivors include five daughters, Judy of Coeur D' alene, ID, Patty of Sturgis, Linda of Jefferson City, MT, Marilyn of Spokane, WA, and Beverly of Kent, WA; one son, John of Kingston, ID; one sister, Beulah Wanhanen of Nemo, SD; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, four brothers, and one grandson.

The family extends an invitation to join them for fellowship and refreshments at the Sturgis Vet's Club immediately following the graveside committal rites.