Brent Wayne Nelson, 68, of Falun, KS, died peacefully February 9, 2023, of throat cancer at Hospice House, Hutchinson, with his older brother by his side. He returned to the earth shrouded in his favorite Pendleton wool blanket February 13, 2023, in a green burial at Heart Land Prairie Cemetery, New Cambria, Kansas.
Brent was the son of Darald (Mannie) Nelson and Ruth (Dolly) Nelson.
He was preceded in death by his father, Darald (Mannie) Nelson. Brent is survived by: his mother, Ruth (Dolly) Nelson of Bethany Home, Lindsborg; brothers, Edwin (Elizabeth) of Walpole, MA and Ward of Smolan, KS; adopted daughter, Alyssa Gaede of Colby; grandchildren, Daniel, Mali and Maja Crawford; nephews, Erick Nelson of Portland, OR, Mark Nelson of Honolulu, HI, Jon Nelson of Providence, RI; niece, Anna Nelson of Denver, CO; and former wives, Donna Sheer and Debra Fisher.
Brent was born March 9, 1954, and raised on the family farm a half-mile west of Smolan, KS. He attended Smolan Grade School and graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1972, followed by studies at Salina Area Vocational Technical School.
Brent is The Brent Nelson of the “Brent Nelson Special” Sandwich at the Öl Stuga, Lindsborg, that was featured on Good Morning America in November 2010! Brent was a product developer at Great Plains Manufacturing, Salina, where he worked from 1987-2017. While there, he developed several patents for seed planting delivery systems. In addition, Brent’s marksmanship with handguns gained him national rankings and recognition. Native American culture was a passion throughout his life that culminated in constructing a Lakota Sweat Lodge and conducting ceremonies on the family farm.
Spiritual, creative, insightful, brilliant and kind, Brent listened to a different drummer and was a source of wisdom for those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Memorial gifts can be made to the Brent Nelson Memorial Fund (which will be donated to Native American charities), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501. You can offer condolences and remembrances of Brent on his obituary located at www.elliottmortuary.com.