Dale LeRoy Nelson Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For Dale LeRoy Nelson

Dale L. Nelson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on March 1, 2026.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., with a short service at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Ankeny Country Club (314 SW Irvinedale Dr.). A private burial will take place at a later date.

Dale was born on August 17, 1936, in Atlantic, Iowa. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served in the Air Force Security Service. Dale married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Nelson, on September 22, 1956. They settled in Ankeny, Iowa after returning overseas in 1958.

After working for the USDA and John Deere, Dale went to work for the State of Iowa where he became the Director of Information Technology until 1996. During this time, he graduated from Grandview College and Drake University, becoming the first Director of Voter Registration for Iowa. As part of his professional career, Dale was very active in State and National technology organizations.

His first love was always his wife and family, and in later years, his companion Beverly Allen. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, writing poems, woodworking and growing flowers. Some of his greatest pleasures were golfing and playing pitch, poker, and Bridge with friends. Dale worked alongside his wife Peggy as one of the owners of Nelson’s Diamonds for over twenty years. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Ankeny, and a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is survived by his children, Cindy Nelson, Randy Nelson (Barb Corey), and Cheri (Gary) Walljasper; seven grandchildren, Nate (Jaymi) VanderLinden, Caroline (Keenan) Jones, Tylor Nelson, Tiffany (Jake) Johnson, Neko Nelson, Rachel and Sarah Walljasper; four great-grandchildren, Isla, Lennon, Fallyn, and Rennick; his loving companion, Beverly Allen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; his parents, Laurence and Irene Alice Nelson; his sister and brother-in-law, Vera and James McDermott; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Frances Nelson; and his daughter-in-law, Pat Nelson.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Camp Sunnyside in Ankeny, Easter Seals, or your favorite charity.

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