Tom Nelson, age 56, of Red Oak, Iowa passed away Saturday, December 23, 2006 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Tom Nelson was born June 14, 1950 in Ottumwa, Iowa the son of Jim and Gail (Pritchard) Nelson. He was raised in Ottumwa graduating from Ottumwa High School in 1969. He attended a Junior College in Ottumwa and later graduated from the University of Iowa in 1974. During this time he was united in marriage to Terra Arnold on December 14, 1971 in Iowa City, Iowa. Tom and Terra moved to Kansas City, Missouri where Tom worked for Payless Cashways and attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City. They moved to Red Oak in 1989. Tom worked at various jobs while in Red Oak. Currently, Tom was working in Omaha for the Omaha Housing Authority. He loved music and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating.

Preceding him in death were his parents and mother-in-law: Illa Arnold. Survivors include his wife: Terra Nelson of Red Oak, Iowa; son: Eric Nelson and wife Christel of Red Oak, Iowa; daughter: Nicole Erickson and husband Justin of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter: Erin Nelson of Red Oak, Iowa; grandchildren: Gabe Nelson of Red Oak, Iowa and Ashleigh Erickson of Kansas City, Missouri; brother: Bob Nelson of Bellingham, Washington; father-in-law: Chuck Arnold of Kansas City, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Ken Gross, celebrant. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7 PM Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel with visitation with the family to follow. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.

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