Delbert "Butch" Nelson, 68, of Spearfish, passed away on March 25, 2013, at the Ft. Meade VA Medical Center, in Sturgis, SD.

He was born December 2, 1944, in Beach, ND, to Marvel & Adeline (Kline) Nelson. He attended Beach High School and was later employed by Beacon Oil Company. Butch later enlisted in the U.S. Army where served from 1964 to 1966, and was a tank driver stationed in Germany for 19 months.

On September 3, 1966, he married Kathleen Szudera, his high school sweetheart. They continued to reside in Beach ND for the next 24 years where they owned and operated Nelson Trucking. They moved to Spearfish, SD in 1989, where Butch was employed by Fisher Industries, Great West Tire, and most recently as a driver for White's Queen City Motors. Butch enjoyed car races, TV, reading, and having coffee with his friends. He was also a member of the American Legion Post No. 5.

Butch is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Spearfish, sons, Blake (Laurie) Nelson and Brent (Ann Marie Asbery) Nelson, and granddaughter Isabella Nelson all of Centennial, CO; his mother, Adeline Semple of Bismarck, ND; brother, Dan Nelson of Williston, ND; sister, Darlene Erickson of Bismarck, ND; nephew, Dennis Nelson of Williston, ND; and niece, Deb Lewis of Dickinson, ND. He was preceded in death by his father, Marvel and his brother, Dennis Nelson.

He will be missed by all of his family and friends.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, March 29, 2013, at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, followed by burial at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors by the Spearfish Honor Guard.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.