Nelson Blaine Anderson

Nelson Blaine Anderson, 62, of Lockridge, passed away Monday, January 25, 2021 at Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield, after a short hard-fought battle with stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma.

He was born June 18, 1958 in Fairfield, the son of Joyce and Kenneth S Anderson.  Nelson was a 1976 graduate of Fairfield High School and a 1980 William Penn College graduate with an Agricultural Business degree.  He married Jennifer Billingsley on September 6, 1980.

In April 1980, Nelson began working for Jennifer’s father, Roy Billingsley, where he was first exposed to feeding cattle. Over the next 5 years, this shifted as Nelson and Jennifer developed their own farming and cattle feeding business. Nelson purchased all the cattle fed by Anderson Livestock, so he developed a strong network of friends and cohorts in several sale barns across multiple states.  He had an uncanny skill for seeing the potential in an animal before ever making a bid.  His greatest excitement was getting a purchase at the right price to turn the best profit.  Nelson had an intensity about him and this would be displayed as he conducted himself both personally and professionally.

Being a lifelong resident of our community, Nelson believed in giving back his time and talents.  He was a member of Jefferson County Cattlemen’s; spent years coaching Little League baseball and softball as well as Fairfield Crush softball; member and officer of Fairfield Area Soccer Association for over 12 years and was one of a handful of individuals who orchestrated the creation of the Dexter/Apache Holdings Soccer Fields; Greater Jefferson County Foundation; church council member and president of First Lutheran Church for 3 terms; church council member and president of Word of Life Lutheran Church for 3 terms;  Iowa State Bank and Trust Company – joining May 17, 1993- he was the youngest board member to be appointed and is the longest serving bank board director to date.  Before all that which is listed above, nothing came before his love and devotion to his family.  Nelson enjoyed his dogs, boating, sprint car racing, WWII history, baseball and spending time with his wife and children.

Nelson is survived by his wife, Jennifer of Lockridge; children Mitch (Trent) of Urbandale, Katie (Austyn) Vogel of Lockridge; sister Kris (Matt) Ward of Foristell, MO; two nieces, Stephanie (Mike) Sukup of Kansas City, MO; Nicole (Amir) of Brentwood, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and stepfather Robert Hudson.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 29, 2021 at the Word of Life Lutheran Church gym with the family present. With respect for all attending, COVID-19 restrictions of requiring masks, social distancing, and hand sanitization will be in place.  We ask that individuals at high risk attend from 3-4pm.  It will then be open to the general public from 4-7pm.  A private service will be held in the Word of Life Lutheran Church sanctuary on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 2 pm.  This will be livestreamed at:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNNrimCGXF8.  Burial will follow at the Glasgow Cemetery.

If you choose and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Word of Life Lutheran Church, Glasgow Cemetery, or to the family who will determine a memorial in the near future.  Cards and memorials may be mailed to Jennifer Anderson, 2360 Wintergreen Blvd., Lockridge, IA 52635.