Dennis ‘Darryl’ Nelson

Dennis passed away on May 13, 2026, surrounded by family, due to complications from surgery. Dennis was born to Albert “Al” Nelson and Lois “Jean” Nelson on Sept. 10, 1952 in Moses Lake, Washington. Dennis grew up in Moses Lake and graduated high school there. He dated, and then married, Lisa Lynn Haley in February 1974 in the home of his parents. From this marriage they had two children, Lana and Robert. They later divorced. Dennis ran a service station in his younger years before becoming a meat cutter. He worked cutting meat for over 40 years. Some of the places he worked for were B&B Market, Buttrey’s and Market Place. 

In 2010 the store he was working for shut down and he made the decision to move to Townsend, Mont. with his daughter and her husband and work his last seven years before he could retire at Ry Timber. After he retired, he decided to buy a bar, The Mint Bar and Restaurant, with his daughter and her husband. He spent every day there meeting new people and making friends, having a few drinks and spending some money playing machines, and occasionally doing some work if his daughter got on him. During his time in Montana, he fell back in love with hunting, fishing and camping with his family. Dennis will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents Al and Jean Nelson, brothers Micky Nelson and Albert Nelson and sister-in-law Bobbie Nelson.

Dennis is survived by daughter Lana (Andre) Prevel; son Robert (Melissa) Nelson; brothers John (Jude) Nelson, Wes Nelson, Jay (Janet) Nelson and Ray Nelson; sister-in-law Carol Nelson; grandchildren Alex (Shyann) Prevel, Jake (Jodee) Prevel, Miranda (Jarid) McCabe, Sierra (Arron) Williams, Taeler Abromeit and Brenen Abromeit; great-grandchildren Layla McCabe, Collyns, Rhett, Patrick, Terrick and Lainey Prevel and Brantley, Sawyer, and Sammie Williams; and bonus daughter Nancy (John) Cobban and family.

No service will be held due to Dad’s wishes, but we will be having a celebration of his life at 3 p.m. on Sept, 12, 2026, at The Silos Recreation Area, Pavilion 4, in Townsend, Mont. Any and all are welcome to come celebrate with us, share a story or just hang out.