Fredrick M. Nelson, 83 passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026 with his wife, sister and two daughters present with him as he took his last breath and crossed over to the gates of heaven.  Visitation will be held at 9:30 am with the memorial mass following at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, KS.  The family requests in lieu of flowers contributions to our military veterans at Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Fred, the son of Nels and Sue Steuber Nelson, was born May 13, 1942 in Webster Groves, MO.  Fred met his wife Mary at Shakey’s Pizza in St. Louis, MO and they were married more than five decades raising two girls, enjoying a grand-daughter and having a remarkable career as an electrical engineer working for General Electric, Toshiba and Nelson Specialties.  

Fred was also a military veteran.  He enlisted in the military when he was a sophomore in high school at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri.  During his years at Missouri Military Academy, he was part of the Artillery Small Arms Force and the Military Police. 

After graduating from Missouri Military Academy, he continued his active-duty in the Army and Army-National Guard where he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and The Armory in St. Louis, MO.  One of Fred’s favorite roles was working as a communications manager where he worked closely with short wave radio communications between various different military installations. 

Fred and his wife have always been active gardeners and Fred was a proud member and President of the American Rhododendron Society, Ozark Chapter.  His favorite part of gardening included raising rhododendrons and designing Japanese gardens.  When he wasn’t gardening you would find him enjoying the great outdoors with his wife and family hiking, taking photos, biking, skiing, camping, rafting, fishing and more… 

Survivors of Fred’s family include his wife Mary, two daughters Katie (Victor) and Beth, granddaughter Brandi and his sister Sue (Jim) along with several special nieces and nephews.