Russell Gene Nelson

Russell Gene Nelson, age 75, died January 7, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. Russ struggled with a complicated neurologic disease for decades, and died peacefully surrounded by his family at home.  

Russ was born August 19, 1949, in Audubon, Iowa, the son of Donavon and Lois Nelson.  

Russ graduated from Exira High School in 1968. After high school, he attended the University of Iowa before ultimately graduating from NW Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri.  

Russ married Kristi Jo Larson June 19, 1977. From that date, Russ was a proud family man. Besides work, his wife and four sons occupied nearly all his time. Russ and Kristi moved to Omaha in 1980, and quickly established themselves in the community. Russ was active in his kids’ many sports and recreation organizations through coaching and other duties. Russ lived life with a charismatic and "larger than life" personality, and he always had a witty comeback or a song to bellow out throughout the house.  

Russ’s personality helped him with a successful sales career, mostly in the agricultural industry. Building relationships was his strength, and it was evident in his success at work. He mentored many young salesmen.  

Thanks to lessons from his dad and growing up on the farm, Russ was handy and could seemingly fix anything. Over the years he built swings sets, fixed rusty cars, and patched holes in the basement walls caused by his four sons. 

In his free time, Russ enjoyed thousands of his boys’ sporting events, music concerts and other school activities. Russ and Kristi were a great team and were forever committed to each other and their sons.  At the annoyance of his family, Russ remained a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan until the very end. He blared Jim Zabel on the radio in his younger days, and never missed a chance to root for the Hawkeyes.  

He is survived by his wife of 47 years Kristi; sons Eric (Lauren), Brian, Mark, and Adam (Rachel); grandchildren Elliot, Peter, Frances, Caleb and Connor; sisters Paulette Cambridge and Peggy Mikolajczk (Ed); mother in law Margaret Larson; brothers in law David Larson (Michelle), Kenton Larson, Timothy Larson (Lori), Robert Larson (Cheryl); as well as many other nieces and nephews and other family members. Russ is preceded in death by his parents, Donavan and Lois Nelson; father-in-law Robert Larson; brother-in-law Eugene Cambridge; and sister-in-law Kay Larson

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Rejoice Lutheran Church.

Lunch will be served at church following the memorial service.