Roy L. Nelson, 94 of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Sanford USD Medical Center.

Roy LaVerne Nelson was born on February 20, 1931, in Webster, SD. He attended Webster grade schools and graduated from Webster High School in 1951.

Roy was united in marriage with Janice Young (his high school sweetheart) in 1952.

He had his first job at age 7 delivering newspapers for three companies. He also worked with his dad's roofing company. In the summer of 1950, he worked with NW Bell. He joined the Navy in July of 1951. He served four years on the USS Donner and the USS Zeller.

He returned to NW Bell in 1955 and retired 35 years later. He began a new job in 1988 with Conseco Insurance and retired after 10 years.

As a family, they spent many happy hours camping, fishing, and hunting. He attended many sports games to watch his boys and was active in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts as a Cub Master. In later years fishing in Canada with sons and friends was a must.

He is a member of Peace Lutheran Church and his favorite Bible verse was the 23rd Psalm.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Janice; four sons, Mike (Nina), Tim (Beth), Mark (Bonnie), Todd (Teri); 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation with the family present will be from 1 to 3 pm with a prayer service at 3 pm on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Miller Westside Chapel, 6200 West 41 Street. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church, 5509 West 41st Street, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.