Robert Peter Nelson

May 14, 1937 - February 7, 2022

Reverend Robert P. Nelson, 84, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022, at Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. Funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at The Church on Northland, 5200 Northland Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52402 with Pastor Patrick Jackson, Reverend Tammy Buseman, and Reverend Doctor Gary L. Grogan officiating. Robert was born on May 14, 1937, in Lake Andes, South Dakota, the son of Arthur and Neva (Anderson) Nelson. He graduated from Grand Island High School in Grand Island Nebraska before going to serve honorably in the United States Navy and after discharge went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from University of Sioux Falls in 1963. Robert then earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Baptist Seminary and went on to earn his Masters of Divinity (M.Div.). On June 6, 1963, Robert was united in marriage to Kay Hayzlett, in Shenandoah, Iowa. Robert served as a pastor in Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Minnesota. He retired in 2011 as an area minister with the Mid-American Baptist Churches USA. Robert loved to read and spend time with his family. He was a history buff, enjoying the World War II and Civil War Eras, especially Winston Churchill and Mark Twain. Robert will be remembered as a great storyteller, jokester and wonderful teacher of all ages. He was a very outgoing person and could make a friend every where he went. Robert was know as an advocate for others, putting their needs above his own. Robert is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Kay; daughter, Jennifer (Kurt); son, Andrew; two sisters, Betty and Judith; grandchildren, Zackary, Joshua (Emily), Amber (Jim), and Kevin (Stephanie); great-grandchildren, Olivia and Brianna; sister-in-law, Mary Beth (Craig); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth. Memorials in Robert’s memory may be directed to the Church on Northland or the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.