Paul I. Nelson

Paul Ingvwald Nelson, of Johnston, IA, passed away December 8, 2019 at the age of 77. Paul was born March 1, 1942 in Drain, OR to Ingvwald (or Ingwvald) Mangus Nelson and Grace Faye Beck Nelson. Paul’s sister, Inga Marie joined the family in 1944. Paul’s parents served Christian Churches in Tacoma, WA, Othello, WA, Coquille OR, Junction City, OR, Silverton, OR and Deer Lodge, MT. Paul was graduated from Powell County High School, Deer Lodge, MT in 1960. That Fall, he began attending Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR and was graduated from there in 1965, with a Bachelor of Theology degree. That same Spring, he was ordained into the Christian ministry at his home church, Deer Lodge Christian Church in Montana.

Paul met Donna Jean Foote as they both participated in the Chapel Choir of Northwest Christian College and they were married in a service presided over by his father at Skyline Christian Church in Tacoma, WA on December 15, 1962.

While attending NCC, Paul provided assistance in ministry at the Glenwood Christian Church, outside Eugene, OR. Following ordination and graduation, he and Donna lived in La Grande, OR where Paul was a youth minister for a few months.

The Fall of 1965 saw them moving to Des Moines, IA, where Paul began work on his Masters of Divinity degree at Drake University Divinity School. While in school, he was student Pastor weekends at the Belinda Christian Church in rural Columbia, IA. In 1966, Paul and Donna moved to Knoxville, IA where Paul added to his ministry schedule, Pastor of Christian Education at the Knoxville Christian Church. That Fall they lost a daughter, Terri Lynn, who lived 36 hours. In January1968 they moved to Collins, IA where Paul served as student Pastor of the Collins Christian Church.

Drake Divinity School closed operations the summer of 1968, so Paul transferred to Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY, August of that year. While there he served as student Pastor at Pond Christian Church outside Richmond, KY. In March of 1969, Rhonda Lee was placed with the family for adoption. Paul was graduated from LTS in June, 1969 with a Masters of Divinity degree.

That Summer, Paul, Donna and Rhonda moved to Woodbine, IA where he became the Pastor of First Christian Church. 1972 found the family moving to Marshalltown, IA where Paul served as Assistant Pastor for Christian Education at Central Christian Church. In 1974, Scott Eric was placed with the family for adoption and in 1975, Rebecca Ann (Becky) was born.

Around Thanksgiving of 1975, Paul and family moved to Adel, IA where he served as pastor of First Christian Church.

The Summer of 1981, the family moved to a rural home with an Earlham address. For several years he was pastor of a small group that met weekly in their home.

In 1984, Paul began driving a bus and doing light maintenance work for Des Moines Christian School. In 1999, Paul became Director of Transportation and Technology for DMCS which he continued until retirement in 2010. When DMCS constructed its campus in Urbandale, Paul was responsible for planning and installation of the technology infrastructure of the building and then maintained the various technology systems and software at the school. In 2005, Paul and Donna moved to a condo in Urbandale.

In July of 2010 Paul took a part-time position as Assistant Pastor for Senior Adult Ministries and later Congregational Care, for Westkirk Presbyterian Church where he worked until his death. He also taught adult Sunday School Bible classes at Westkirk.

Paul and Donna celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends in December, 2012. It would have been their 57th Wedding Anniversary this Sunday.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Ingvwald and Grace; and daughters, Terri Lynn and an infant daughter.

He is survived by his wife, Donna of 56 years; sister, Inga Poach of Sierra Vista, AZ; daughter, Rhonda Lee Nelson of Venice, CA; son, Scott Nelson (Kate Bangs) of Cedar Rapids, IA; daughter, Rebecca Ann “Becky” (Daniel) Cox of Van Meter, IA; grandson, Bodhi Cox; granddaughter, Natalie Nelson; and great-grandson, Grayson Cox; as well as his nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Dr. in Urbandale, IA with visitation on Thursday, December 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. and the funeral service on Friday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Westkirk Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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