DUNDEE — Byron Keith Nelson, 74, died Nov. 10 at his home. Born April 8, 1939, in Clay Center, he was the son of Raymond Emanuel and Nina Irene (Fritz) Nelson. He was raised in Cleburne, Olsburg and Alta Vista areas, graduating from Alta Vista High School. He attended Kansas State University, studying biology and wildlife management. On Sept. 11, 1960, he married Carolyn Parsons in White city. She survives. A Great Bend resident since 1970, coming from Lawrence, he and his wife owned and operated the family business, Schendel Pest Control, from 1970 until they sold the business in 2008.
Mr. Nelson was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, being active on many boards, Sunday School, and the choir. He was also active in Stephen’s Ministry, living out his faith, and a member of the Kansas Pest Control Association, serving as president in 1985 and Hall of Fame inductee in 2000.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Nelson, of the home; three sons, Stanley Nelson and his wife Joyce, of Great Bend,  Kenneth Nelson and his wife Tammi, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Bradley Nelson and his wife Kelly, of Vassar; two daughters, Melinda Nelson and her companion Pete, of Great Bend, and Rebecca Love and her husband Ricky, of Great Bend; two sisters, Ramona Hanson and her husband Howard, of Grundy Center, Iowa and Margene Willis and her husband Bill, of Conway Springs, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Michael Hiss, Rachel Nelson, Sam Nelson, Luke Nelson, Devon Nelson, Megan Nelson, Justin Love, and Brandon Love; three step-grandchildren, Anthony Lord, Ryan Lord, Chrisanna Lord; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Jams A. Strasen officiating. Burial will be at the Dundee Valley Cemetery. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church or Camp Toma Shinga, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, Ks. 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Nov. 12, 2013