Jeff Nelsen, 64

Jeff Nelsen, 64, of Traer, IA, passed away after a series of cardiac events on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA, with his family by his side. A private family service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Amity Presbyterian Church in rural Reinbeck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, February 3, 2023, at Abels Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Abels Funeral Home of Reinbeck has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.abelsfuneralhomes.com/.

Jeff was born on May 20, 1958, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, IA. Jeff was the son of Dean Nelsen and Carol Nelsen. He attended Reinbeck Schools where he was involved in nearly every sport and qualified for the state wrestling tournament twice while in high school. Jeff held a variety of mechanical jobs before uniting in marriage to Irene Holzwarth on April 16, 1983. They made their home in the Cedar Rapids area where they welcomed two children: a daughter, Dakota Rae, and a son, Logan James. They later divorced.

Jeff was mechanically inclined and owned his own auto repair shop (Bowman Woods Service) in Cedar Rapids for a number of years. He later relocated to Traer and worked for John Deere in Waterloo for the last 15 years.

Jeff was always interested in cars, whether car racing or repair. He felt most at home working with his hands and tools on a project. Jeff also had a love for motorcycles and took many road trips with friends traveling to different concerts. Jeff had a quick wit, was always game for fun, and to lend a helping hand when needed. He will definitely be missed by his good friends Bud and Corey and his family.

Jeff is survived by his two children: Dakota, of North Saint Paul, MN and Logan, of Minneapolis, MN; his mother, Carol Nelsen, of Reinbeck, IA, and his siblings: Deb (Dave) Hach, of Morrison, IA, Gregg (Kim) Nelsen, of Reinbeck, IA, and Gary (Danette) Nelsen, of Cedar Rapids, IA. Additionally, his niece and nephews: Jesse (Lindsay) Hach, of Cedar Falls, IA, Lexie Hach (Eric Neverman), of Grundy Center, IA, Mitchell Nelsen, of Cedar Rapids, IA and Sydney Nelsen, of Kansas City, MO.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Dean Nelsen.

The family wishes to thank the ICU staff at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, IA, and the CCU staff at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA, for the compassionate care provided to Jeff.