NELSON, Vincent Alban "Vince", Jr. - b. January 9, 1947 - d. March 10, 2026

[patyrn]

Vincent Alban Nelson, Jr., age 79, passed away on March 10, 2026 at the Linn Nursing Center. He was born on January 9, 1947 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Vincent Alban, Sr. and Mildred May (Rusk) Nelson.

Vince grew up on the family farm, attending grade school in Severy, Kansas and graduating from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas with the Class of 1965.  A love of the sciences led him to study Biology at Emporia State University (KSTC).  While attending college, he met and married Patricia Fearno in June of 1968.  They later divorced.  In 1984, Vince married Lynn Brown, and they later divorced.  He married Patty (Grimmett) Salaymeh in 1994.

Vince retired from his "summer job" at Dolly Madison in Emporia, Kansas in 1995 where he had worked for 25 years.  He returned to his home communities of Severy and Howard and helped his parents with the family farm.  He was generous and loved a good story.  He was repository of wit and wisdom which he would share with friends and strangers alike.

Vince is survived by his children, Tushaun (Clayton) Portenier of Washington, Kansas, Jeremy (Erika) Nelson of San Francisco, California, Rick Nelson of Drumright, Oklahoma, Mike Nelson of Chula Vista, California, Bassem (Nikki) Salaymeh of Katy, Texas, and Timothy (Rebecca) Salaymeh of Topeka, Kansas, and grandchildren, Calvin, Garret, Hannah, and Emma Portenier.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Ann; and his wife, Patty.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time.  Burial will follow at Cresco Cemetery north of Howard.  Memorials in his name have been suggested to the Elk County Community Foundation, and donations may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left for the family online at www.countrysidefh.com.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)