Kay Lynn Nelson was born to Andrew Gunder Nygaard and Phyllis Maxine Washburn on the May 3, 1946 in Watertown, S.D. She attended schools the Rapid City School District and graduated from Rapid City High School as a proud member of the class of ’64. She married Dennis L Nelson on October 26, 1977. She worked as accountant for the City of Rapid City, South Dakota and until she retired in April 2003. She was very passionate about her faith and attended Trinity Lutheran Church for most of her life and moved to Restored Life Outreach Fellowship about 15 years ago. After retirement she started water walking and was a regular down at Roosevelt Swim Center.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 41 years Dennis Nelson, four children: step-son Craig (Jo Dell) Nelson of Hermosa, S.D.; step-son Kevin (Stacy) Nelson of Rapid City, S.D.; Melissa Stroh of Sacramento, CA; and Ronald (Sandra) Graham of Charleston, S.C.; five grandchildren: April Vegas of Denver, CO, Cassandra Nelson of Edgemont, S.D.; Ryan Vegas of Denver, CO; Shayanna Nelson of Hermosa, S.D.; and Savannah Graham of Charleston, S.C. one great-grandson Brayden Nettifee of Edgemont, S.D. Brothers: Dale (Linda) Nygaard of St. Paul, MN; Max (Tammi) Nygaard of Marion, OH; and Lon (Joanne) Nygaard of Rapid City, S.D.; as well as brother-in-law John “Butch” (Diana) Nelson of Rapid City, S.D.; brother-in-law Steve (Jill) Nelson of Spokane, WA; sister-in-law Ilah Nelson of Rapid City, S.D. and many nieces and nephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, and infant grandson.

Memorials may be given to Restored Life Ministries 1601 Campbell St, Rapid City S.D. or the American Lung Association.

The family would like to say thank you to her very dear and devoted lifelong friends, her church family, as well as her water-walking buddies for the many years of friendship, laughs, and support that you gave through the years. Please do a random act of kindness, something goofy, and help someone or something that needs help with a chore.