Charles William Nelton son of Quentin and Marjorie Nelton, was born October 22, 1941, in Winona, Minnesota, and passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025. He was 83 years old.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Ames. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Fjeldberg Cemetery near Huxley.

Charles grew up in Winona, Minnesota. Charles along with his younger brother, Richard and their dad, did a lot of truck farming in rural Minnesota and Iowa. Charles was involved in the McDonalds brand early on in his career, in Burlington, Iowa.

Burlington is where he met his wife Doris Hinds. They united in marriage in Burlington, on April 17,1971. After a short stay in Burlington, they had an opportunity to run a Quick Stop burger place in New Ulm, MN. They ran that for over 5 yrs. That started their 20-year adventure of owning seven KFC’S in Central Iowa. Those included Ames (2), Ankeny, Carroll, Dennison, Storm Lake and Boone. Charles’ brother and wife were in this adventure with them. Doris was the CFO and Charles ran the kitchen. Making sure their employees were trained to serve the best chicken in the towns they served. They both enjoyed their time serving the customers daily. Especially when they catered for big events in the towns. In 1999, they were ready to hang up the aprons and enjoy a little retirement. That’s when they enjoyed driving to Florida and spending a few weeks relaxing or taking in the many things to do.

In 2005, an opportunity came to own a single KFC store in Algona, Iowa. Charles and Doris helped Robert and Missy run the day-to-day operation. They operated that restaurant until 2017.

Charles’ sons, Robert and Brian, were very involved with the Boy Scouts, and he was so proud of them both for getting their Eagle Awards. Charles enjoyed any little project he could find to do. His love for classic cars included owning a 1966 Cadillac Convertible. That was his pride and joy, and he enjoyed taking it to Algona to be in many parades. At one time they owned 3 different Buick Roadmasters, all with wood paneling. You just never knew which one they were going to be driving. Charles had a wealth of knowledge of many things and could talk your ear off ranging from his childhood to his time in KFC.

Charles is survived by his sons Robert (Missy) of Ames, and Brian (Kelly) of Fort Madison; his granddaughters, Abby Nelton and Allie Miller; grandsons, Toby Nelton (fiancée Anna), of Algona; Logan and Austin Nelton; brother, Richard Nelton of Des Moines; sister-in-law Ruth Matteson of Donnellson; and many nieces and nephews and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife Doris of 53 years in March of 2024, his parents, Quentin and Marjorie Nelton, Doris’ parents Wilbur and Edna Hinds; Ruth’s husband, Eugene Mattison; and Richard’s wife, Robin Nelton.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Adams Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Charles’ family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Family of Charles Nelton for future charitable contributions.