He was born February 7, 1939, in Runge, Texas the youngest child of the late Diedrich and Emma Ammerman Janssen. He was raised on the family farm, graduating from Runge High School in 1956 where he played football, played the Clarinet and was active in FFA.

Nelson was Baptized and Confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Runge and was an active member of Christ the Victor Lutheran Church in Victoria, Texas since 1968. He worked for Lane Wells later Dresser Atlas and was an Independent Oil and Gas producer. He was proud of the award-winning bloodlines he developed at Janssen Beefmaster Ranch with his son Chris and later grandson Bennett. He was a long-time member of Beefmaster Breeders United and Independent Cattlemen’s Association.

Nelson will be remembered for his friendliness, honesty, good sense of humor, stories, and strong work ethic coming from his German heritage. He enjoyed traveling, playing blackjack, dancing, going to cattle shows, the Country Opera, spending time with family and friends.He was proceeded in death by his parents, wives Joyce Ann Ckodre Janssen in 1991 and Estelle Pargman Clapp Janssen in 2016, his son Christopher Nelson Janssen, son-in-law Wade Green, granddaughter Jenica Edge Barnard, his siblings Junelle Mixon, Lillian Lau, Dalton Janssen, and Garry Janssen; brothers-in-law’s Billy Slaughter, Ralph Lau, and Ronnie Ckodre.He is survived by his dear friend Jonie Donohue, children Cheryl Green Rathkamp (Kris), Jana Gossett (Charles) and Natalan Mayer, daughter in law JJ Finney Janssen. Grandchildren Lauren Becker (Willie), Melanie Green Janowski (Stephen), Stuart Green, Benjamin Gossett (Jordan), Bethany Pompa (Dakota), Stephanie Mayer, Hannah Mayer (John), Johnathan Mayer, Clayborne Janssen (Allie Davis), and Bennett Janssen as well as 14 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mildred Slaughter, sisters-in-laws Lyn Janssen and Shirley Mueller (Harvey) and brother-in-law Erwin Ckodre (Mary). Estelle’s family that he loved as his own Norman Clapp (Holly), Pam Edge (David), and Darrell Clapp; grandchildren Megan Lew (Jordan), Matthew Edge (Charlsa), Bethany Clapp, and Bridgette Clapp. Pallbearers will be Bennett Gossett, Stuart Green, Johnathan Meyer, Matthew Edge, Clayborne Janssen, and Bennett Janssen; Godson Wade Bolting. Honorary Pallbearers are Roy Kuester, Tommy Duke, Micheal Dallmeyer, and Max Moeller. Visitation was Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 3:005:00pm and Services Monday, December 29 at 10:00 am at Christ the Victor Lutheran Church, 202 Stanley, Victoria, Texas. Burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made in Nelson’s honor to Christ the Victor Lutheran Church, 202 Stanley, Victoria, Texas 77904, Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry (VCAM), PO Box 1786, Victoria, Texas 77902.