Albert L. Nelson, Jr.

Albert L. Nelson, Jr., 91, of Wakefield, NE, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, May 29, 2026. The visitation will be on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a sharing of memories at 6:30 p.m., all at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield. The funeral will be on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wakefield. The burial will be in the Wakefield Cemetery in Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Orphan Grain Train (206 S 6th St, Norfolk, NE 68701) or Mercy Meals of Siouxland (3101 Hamilton Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51104). Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home.

Albert L. Nelson was born on May 19, 1935, to Albert G. and Lilly (Buss) Nelson in Falls City, NE. He was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and attended their parochial school through sixth grade, when his family moved to rural Wayne, he attended Wayne Schools and was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church.

He joined his two brothers in the Kansas oilfields in the early 1950’s, later returning to the Wayne area in 1957. His family joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, south of Wakefield, and he started working for Willis Meyer’s farming operation. On June 28, 1959, Albert married Janelle Tarnow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. To this union, the couple had four children. The couple farmed for five years and then moved to Battle Lake, Minnesota, where they had a resort on Otter Tail Lake. In the winter, he sold Watkins products. In 1972, they moved back to the farm south of Wakefield, where they resumed farming. He was active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the Men’s Club, Lutheran Layman’s League and served as a Sunday School teacher. After St. Paul’s Lutheran Church closed, they moved their membership to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wakefield and joined the church choir. The couple moved to Wakefield, where he semi-retired, and Albert delivered ATMs and worked for Heritage Industries in Wayne until fully retiring.

Albert is survived by his wife, Janelle Nelson; sons, Craig Nelson, and Blaine (Donna) Nelson; daughter, Tiffany (Elmer) Foxx; 13 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Albert is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kodi Nelson; siblings, Lois Christman, Bonnie Frevert, Dale Nelson, Merle Nelson; and grandson, Kerre Nelson.