Robert “Bob” Kent Nelson, age 70, of Redfield, SD, passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home (hykefuneralhome.com).  Bob’s wishes were to be cremated so long as no one flushed him down the toilet, which shows his active sense of humor in life. There will be no formal services held. He will be laid to rest in the Spring Valley Danish Lutheran Cemetery in Viborg, SD next to his brother, Roger Nelson.   

Robert Kent Nelson was born August 11, 1952, in Sioux City, Iowa to Edwin and Ruby (Olesen) Nelson.  He grew up and attended high school in the Beresford, SD area.  Bob served our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1971-1973. He was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.  After his service in the Air Force, Bob attended the Mitchell Technical Institute for Welding.  Bob was very excited to learn that he was going to become a grandfather, and so in the year 2000, he moved to Ashton, SD.  He enjoyed being in the Redfield area near his grandchildren, drinking lots of Mt. Dew, and cruising all around Spink County on his motorized scooter. 

Bob was married for a short time to Leona Vennard, and to this union, a daughter was born.  Bob is survived by his daughter, Dawn (Chad) Kopplin of Redfield, and their children, Ethan Kopplin of Madison, SD, Emma Kopplin of St. Paul, MN, and his great-granddaughter Savannah Kopplin of Redfield, SD. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon (David) Engen of Oconomowoc, WI, and his brother Richard (Anna Joyce) Nelson of Seattle, WA, along with one niece and four nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Ruby Nelson, his brother, Roger Nelson, and his bonus grandson, Bryce Kopplin.

Condolences/memorials are being accepted on behalf of the family at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD.