Charon "Bud" Nelson, 85 of Lead, SD left his earthly home to be with his soul mate in Heaven on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Monument Health in Rapid City.

Bud was born on May 27, 1936 in Terry (Lead), South Dakota to Frank and Vivian Nelson. He attended grade school in Nevada Gulch. He graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic School in 1956. He married Verna "Butch" Liming on June 11 ^th , 1957. They were blessed with four children: Rodney, Barbara, Shelly, and Tina. In December of 1953, Bud joined the South Dakota Army Air Corp. He served for 22 years in the military before he was honorably discharged. He worked for Homestake Mining Company for many years until he retired due to health reasons.

Bud spent his life in the Hills with his beautiful family. They made many memories in their house in Nevada Gulch. In his early years, he was an avid fisherman and hunter. If they weren't on a road trip, you could find him with Butch or other family members playing cribbage around their kitchen table. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much and enjoyed making many memories with them.

Bud is survived by his children Rod (Sharlene) Nelson of Lead, Barb (Randy) Harlan of Spearfish, Shelly (Byron) Eisenbarth of Torrington, WY, and Tina (Tom) Muntifering of Boise, ID; his sister Donna Bruining; his grandchildren, Travis Nelson, Eric (Donelle) Nelson, Dawnielle (Ricky) Geditz, Crystal (Shaun) Davis, Jennifer (John) VanNortwick, Randall Harlan, Megan (Rob) LaFayette, Verna (Dylan) Harlan, Justin (Holly) Gladson, Trent (Jessica) Gladson, Dalton (Sydney) Gladson, Tyson (Shaylnn) Gladson, Suzie (Ben) Eisenbarth, Brittany (Pranshu) Bansal, Lyndsey (Wesley) Kerekesh, Shelby (Jesse) Caswell; great-grandchildren Logan, Adelynn, Ella, Noah, Morgan, Lillian, Dean, Sammy, Janae, Aaron, Justyce, Lucas, Cindy, Ian, Evan, Clark, Kadince, Dakota, Carter, Reed, Maggie, Blake, Clara, Zane, Tyler, Carolyn, Peyton, Addison, Bennett.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Verna "Butch" Nelson; his parents, Frank and Vivian Nelson; maternal and paternal grandparents; his brothers and sisters; and a great-granddaughter, Miara Reese Bansal; and other important loved ones.

A graveside service with full military honors will be 10:30 am Friday, May 27, 2022, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. A celebration of Bud's life will start at 12 noon at the Deadwood VFW Post 5969 in Deadwood. Those wishing to go in procession to the National Cemetery will meet at 9:30 am at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead.