Lucas K. Nelson

Lucas K. Nelson, 33, of Marne, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 24, 2025, east of Marne from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Lucas Kristen was born on May 1, 1992, in Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Steven Robert and Tammie (Pedersen) Nelson. From the beginning of his life, Luke was full of personality and energy. He was very inquisitive and wanted to learn all about the world around him. One of his favorite places to be was alongside his Grandpa Nelson at the family farm. He learned from a young age how to care for nature around him. Luke also loved to help his dad with work around the welding shop. His father taught him how to weld around age 12. Luke had a natural talent for welding and continued honing his skills throughout his life. He enjoyed his time at Nelson Machine & Forge and made many friends with patrons and those that gathered for the daily coffee breaks. With his father and grandfather, he learned how to work on and run steam engines. He enjoyed his time at the Greenridge Steam Show showing their Advance-Rumley steam traction engine. Luke was very intelligent and always excelled in school. He was part of the ELO (Extended Learning Opportunities) class. In high school, Luke could be found setting up a tipi to camp with his friends. He graduated from Atlantic High School in the Class of 2010.

Luke worked at Lindeman Tractor in Atlantic after high school and later worked at Nelson Machine & Forge in Marne. He eventually moved into a career teaching his craft of welding, working as a welding instructor at Iowa Western Community College for five years and most recently at Southwestern Community College in Creston. Luke was dedicated to teaching the next generation of tradesmen and his students held a special place in his heart.

Luke was a man of many talents and hobbies. One of his biggest passions was music. He dabbled in playing many different instruments during his life, but his favorite was guitar. He could listen to almost any song and learn how to play a riff in no time at all. Luke connected to music from all different genres and eras. He also enjoyed creating artwork and created a wide selection of paintings, stipple art and metal sculptures. He was a talented baker and cook. He had a pie baking business as a teenager and cooked all kinds of comfort food for himself and his family. Luke loved gardening and took pride in his harvests. Luke loved rebuilding cars and trucks, working tirelessly to restore his first vehicle, a 1966 GMC pickup.

Luke connected to God and his spirituality through nature. He could always feel a sense of peace and comfort through the beautiful Iowa sunsets. He stood in awe of the power and beauty of thunderstorms. He believed in being a responsible steward of the land, nature and everything that God provided us.

Lucas’ memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those that loved him which include his parents, Steve and Tammie Nelson of Marne; brother, Caleb (Kilee) Nelson of Greenfield; sister, Hannah (Caleb Affuso) Nelson of Des Moines; grandmother, MarJean Pedersen of Elk Horn; aunts and uncles, Sandra Sothman, Shellie (Rob) Anderson, Alan (Jackie) Pedersen, Kert (Julie) Pedersen and Lila (Marty) Bintner; and many cousins, extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert and Frances Nelson and maternal grandpa, Lyle Pedersen.

Open visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 30 at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 31 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Immediately following the service, a light lunch will be served.

Burial will be in the Brighton Township Cemetery in Marne, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to support Luke’s passions in life.

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

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