Leland Nelsen

Leland Nelsen, 87, of Anita, Iowa, died Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

On May 17, 1938, Leland Leroy Nelsen was born to George William Nelsen and Bonnie Darlene (Chapman) Nelsen at their family home in rural Anita. He was baptized at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita on April 4, 1943.

Leland grew up on the farm and decided that’s what he wanted to do the rest of his life. He attended school in Anita where he graduated in 1956 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in September of that same year. After returning home from time in the Marines, Leland married Barbara Jean Symonds at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church on April 2, 1959. Together they would have six children; Anne, Devan, Brian, Cindy, Kyle and Oscar.

While being a dedicated farmer and occasional construction worker, Leland was an active member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church and the Anita American Legion Post 210.

He was an easy going, down to earth, family man, who focused his life on God and providing for his family. His favorite part of life was attending his grandchildren’s activities, fishing at Lake Anita with his grandchildren, and being a great example of how to live one’s life as a hard- working, dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

Leland is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Devan (Melissa) Nelsen, Brian (Melinda) Nelsen, Cindy (Marty) Aldrich, Oscar (Kelsie) Nelsen; son-in-law, Todd Thackery; sister, Marna Liddell; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Symonds and Karen Symonds; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; in-laws; son, Kyle; daughter, Anne; sisters Vera Eilts and Karen Griffin; brother in infancy; brothers-in-law, Jim Symonds and Gary Symonds and sister-in-law, JoAnn Symonds.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 4th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 5th at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita. Burial, with military honors by the Anita American Legion Post #210 and Marine Honor Guard, will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita or Anita American Legion Post #210.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Leland's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.