Joey Richard Nelson

Joey R. Nelson, age 57 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died on January 4, 2026. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye with Knights of Columbus Rosary at 3:30 pm and a Prayer Service at 3:45 pm prior to the visitation. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church - North Entrance. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Craig Timmerman. Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Joey Richard Nelson, the son of Robert and Verena (Groebner) Nelson, was born on October 11, 1968, in New Ulm, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm west of Sleepy Eye with his sister, Bonnie and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in 1987. Following graduation, Joey proudly began his life's work - farming. Through mutual friends he met the love of his life, Stacy Engholm, and they were united in marriage on August 6, 1994. Joey and Stacy were blessed with three children, Nick, Maya, and Kailey. Family was everything to Joey and he loved spending time together.

Farming brought great joy to Joey, and he shared that joy with his children, proudly watching all three of them working together to harvest the final crop of the season. In addition to farming, Joey enjoyed his job at River Region co-op, before farming full-time. He made many lifelong friendships at the co-op, and enjoyed talking farming with anyone he met. Joey loved any outdoor activity. Through the years, Joey spent his free time snowmobiling, fishing, and ice fishing. He could spend hours driving around the countryside checking out the crops. His family knew that when they were going somewhere with Joey, they would never come home the same way they went, so he could see more countryside. He enjoyed visiting with everyone, and could always strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He was generous and kind to everyone around him and anyone who knew him, loved him. A hardworking family man, Joey took care of his family well, putting everyone else first. His family was his greatest love, and he will be missed beyond measure.

Joey is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Stacy Nelson; children, Nick Nelson, Maya Nelson, and Kailey Nelson; parents, Robert and Verena Nelson; sister, Bonnie (Tom) Guldan; parents-in-law, Howard and Betty Engholm; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shelly and Cory Fischer; nieces and nephews, Ryan Guldan, Becky (Brad) Sellner, Danny (Ashley) Fischer, Emma Fischer, and Evan Fischer; and many other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Valentine and Veronica Groebner and Laura Nelson.