Steve Nelson

Steven Michael Nelson was born on June 2, 1958 to Donald and Sharon (Mahoney) Nelson in Pipestone, Minnesota, where he was raised. He attended school and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1977. He then worked in construction and was a semi-truck driver. In 1983, Steve enlisted in the United States Army National Guard. He did his basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was later honorably discharged from the service. Steve returned to Pipestone and continued his career in trucking and later accepted a job at CHS in agronomy. He worked there for 17 years until his retirement in 2019.

In 1996, Steve began his first battle with cancer and battled various forms of cancer four more times in his life. On April 6, 2025, he entered Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On June 13, 2025, he returned to his home and spent the summer doing the things he loved including spending time with family and friends, having campfires and watching a couple tractor pulls, where his favorite, Esdon Lehn won with a “full pull”. He returned to hospice on September 29, 2025. He passed away at Ava's House on Saturday, October 18, 2025 surrounded by the people who loved him and all of Ava’s angels.

During his youth, Steve was active in FFA and 4-H. He loved to bowl, attend music concerts, listen to a wide range of music, watch tractor pulls and movies – one of his favorites was Dirty Harry and the quote “go ahead…make my day”. He had an interest in firearms. During his free time, he liked target shooting and going to the gun club, being outside, bonfires and taking care of his flowers. Steve was a tough and resilient person. He learned a lot about life through his travels driving truck and seeing the country. One of the most important lessons he learned throughout the years was “life is short, so make sure and take time to enjoy it”.

He is survived by his mother, Sharon Nelson of Pipestone, Minnesota; sister, Joyce (Rollie) Peschon of Garretson, South Dakota; brother, Jim (Tami) Nelson of Pipestone; nieces and nephew, Jessica Osburn, Heidi Norenberg, Donni (Brad) Van Santen, Karla Budden, Emily Nelson; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Nelson; step-father, Paul Nelson; and sister, Barbara.

Free to fly now!