BOONE, Iowa—Funeral arrangements are set for Retired Major John E. “Jack” Nelson, USAF, 91, a resident of Boone, Iowa. He took his last flight on September 25, 2021.
Jack was born in Duluth, MN on October 25, 1929, the son of the late John Edgar Nelson, Sr. and Helen Henry Nelson. The family moved to Minneapolis where Jack graduated from West HS class of 1947. He attended the University of Minnesota and in the summer of 1951, days before the start of his junior year, he caught wind that the draft board had his number so he made the second best decision of his life and joined the Air Force. The best decision of his life was marrying Joanne Heinrich on August 9, 1952, seven days after graduating from flight school.
Jack and Jo had many postings including Roswell, NM; Minneapolis, MN; Portsmouth, NH; Topeka, KS, interspersed with short stints at The Pentagon, Little Rock, Birmingham, and Omaha. Jack’s tours included Korea and Vietnam.
Son John was born in 1953 while Jack was in Korea, daughter Ann arrived in 1954 in Roswell, son Ward arrived in 1959 in Portsmouth, followed by baby Julia in 1961 in Portsmouth.
Jack had two full careers, his 20 years as a pilot in the USAF and 30 years in the family business, Heinrich Envelope Company.
He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kiwanis, and Boone Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. Jack was past President and Chairman of the Board of the Envelope Institute of America, served on the Board of Directors of the Envelope Manufacturers Association and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, was past Chairman of the Boone Planning and Zoning Commission, and a member of the ISU Center of Industrial Research Advisory Council.
We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Dad such as how to take fashion cues from your wife, how to pack a station wagon, how to right a capsized sailboat, and how to stay cool under pressure. Dad was an accomplished sailor, a decent golfer, an athletic skier, an enthused hunter, and a smooth dancer.
Survivors include daughter Ann Nelson Borwick (Ron) of Johnston, IA; son Ward Nelson (Rhonda) of Boone, IA; daughter Julie Nelson (Kay Angermann) of Austin, TX; daughter-in-law Michelle Ahrens (Jeffrey) of Stratford, IA; grandchildren: Luke and Joel Borwick, Sarah Chown, Ian and Eric Nelson, Jessica Nelson, Carly Weiss, and two great-grandchildren, Cael and Kenzie Chown.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Kohlsaat, his wife Jo, and his son John Heinrich Nelson.
Anyone wishing to honor this officer and gentleman can do so by attending a car show, admiring a plane in flight, playing a round of golf, giving someone a break, picking up someone’s tab, or opening the door for someone needing a hand. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s name to Boone County Special Olympics or the community outreach fund at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone, IA. The family deeply appreciates the amazing care and attention given to Dad this past week by the staff at Eastern Star Home and Suncrest Hospice.
A visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 pm with a memorial service at 7:00 pm at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, IA. Face masks will be required for those attending the visitation or memorial service.
A private family graveside service with full military honors provided by the Boone Veterans Council will take place at Linwood Park Cemetery on October 2, 2021.
Online condolences can be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone has assisted the family with these arrangements.
Major John E. “Jack” Nelson (USAF Retired) 91, Boone, Iowa
