Ray “Whitey” Nelson, 79, of Salix passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 4, 2019, surrounded by his family.  Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City. A visitation will be held from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the funeral home. Private family burial at Sloan City Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Ray was born on April 9, 1940, in Little Sioux, IA to Art and Ella (Martens) Nelson. On June 3, 1942, he was baptized by Pastor H.W. Mueller from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Little Sioux.  As a young boy, his family relocated to Salix, Iowa where he public school and helped on the family farm.

He was united in marriage to Janice Lussier in Elk Point, SD on January 30, 1965. He helped with the Nelson family farm for   several years and then continued to farm on his own.  He has also worked at Cargill Elevator, Wilbert Vault and FMC. He was a  lifelong resident of Salix, IA.

Whitey was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.  He loved farming, especially driving the “CAT.”  He enjoyed watching country westerns and NASCAR races. Whitey collected many Jeff Gordon racecar items.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; his children, Sharla Dicks of Salix, Jeff (Peggy) Nelson of Salix, Nancy (Bruce Full) Nelson of Sergeant Bluff, Penny (Dave) Jensen of Sioux City, Betty (Ben) Gilbert of Salix, Vicky (Jay) Doucette of New Port Richey, FL and Mike (Sarah) Nelson of Sioux City; 14 grandchildren and  several great grandchildren with one on the way; brother, Fred (Ella) Nelson of Salix; brother in law, Don Rogers of Des Moines; sister in laws, Doris Nelson of San Antonio, TX, Shirley (David) Menard of Sergeant Bluff and Mary Lynn Nelson of Salix; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Ella Nelson; brothers, Leon, Byron, Charles, and Robert; two sisters, Doris Rogers and Mary Anne Dvorkin; parents in law, Alcide and Marquerite Lussier; brother in laws, Brian Dvorkin, Bill Lussier and Elmer Ford; sister in laws, JoAnn Lussier, Doris Nelson, and Sheila Ford.