Lester "Allen" Nelson, age 82, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Arlington Place. Allen was born March 28, 1941, in Page County, Iowa, near Nyman, the son of Lester Aaron and Pearl Ferne (Linquist) Nelson. He graduated from Coburg High School in 1958 and Peru State College in 1962. Allen was united in marriage to Carolyn Nelson on February 10, 1963, in Red Oak, Iowa. They lived in Bellevue, Nebraska for several years before moving back to Red Oak. Al worked for the Learning Resource Center and was a freelance commercial artist. He later worked for McKeown and Associates before his career as Executive Director for both the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce and the Red Oak Industrial Foundation. This was a perfect job for Al, as he was always civic minded and volunteered for numerous organizations in the community including the Classy Chassis Car Club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #1304, Red Oak Ambassadors, and First Congregational United Church of Christ, and many others. Allen was an accomplished artist and was known for his artwork seen throughout the area. Al was united in marriage to Patricia Moore Armknecht on April 3, 1980, in Red Oak, Iowa. She was the love of his life, and they enjoyed many years together.

Patricia preceded him in death on April 5, 2014. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Nadine Liljedahl and Lois Gilman; and stepdaughter: Becky Armknecht. Survivors include his daughters: Laura Nelson-Lof of Grinnell, IA and Julia Nelson-Elgar and husband Jim of Saxmundham, England; stepchildren: Anne Armknecht and partner Jill Gray of Long Grove, IA and Tom Armknecht and wife Molly Mikuls of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: John Lof of Minneapolis, MN; Catherine Stainer of Manchester, England; Emily Lof of Grinnell, IA; and Ella and Hogan Armknecht of Omaha, NE; brother: Norman Nelson and wife Joanne of Red Oak, IA; and many other relatives and friends including his special friends: Doug and Michelle Fiscus and their family of Red Oak, IA.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 PM Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel at 1995 G. Ave., Red Oak, Iowa. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 5-7 PM Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Montgomery County Animal Alliance and Rescue.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.