Lee Martin Nelson, 75, of Davenport Iowa, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at his home. Born on June 24, Swedish Midsummer’s Day, 1950, Lee was raised along with his siblings Ward, Brad and Leanna by their parents, Theodore and Eleanor (Nelson) Nelson in Rock Island, Illinois. He scored a 1950s childhood, running rampant through the neighborhood with a pile of other kids until the streetlights came on each night. 

After graduating from RIHS in 1968, Lee put himself through Augustana College by building a leather business “Sandals by Martin” where he designed and created leather sandals, purses and other custom goods. The lifetime guarantee on his products has now expired. 

Lee married Lorri Leatherman, also of Rock Island, in 1975 on Burntside Lake near Ely, Minnesota. They lived in Muscatine, Iowa, for twenty years where they raised three daughters and were very active in the community and Trinity Episcopal Church. Those who knew Lee, knew he loved competition. Although he was a gracious (mostly) loser, he was a completely overbearing winner, a trait attested to by his fellow RISK playing friends of sixty-two years, playing together since junior high school. 

An accomplished builder, inventor, artist, and woodworker, Lee’s talents were many. He taught himself to design and build everything from his leather and tire sandals to musical instruments, sailboats, intricate Halloween costumes and detailed carvings, especially gnomes. He loved folk music and spent a lifetime singing and playing guitar and eventually banjo. 

An avid campfire enthusiast, Lee found joy in the North Woods and was always thrilled to share a fire with friends or family or enjoy the warmth and beauty in solitude with a Busch Lite. In his recent years, Lee became a lover of table shuffleboard, and, again, his friends were the center of this love. He made friends wherever he went, somehow making most people laugh even after a merciless teasing.

Lee is deeply missed by his wife Lorri, his three daughters, Hettie Kill, Tallie Sertich, and Lucille (Erik) Holmgreen, along with his cherished grandchildren, Kill, Henry, Charlie, and Harold Kill; Sam Sertich; and Oskar and Phoebe Holmgreen. He is also survived by siblings, Ward (Muffin) Nelson, Brad (Nancy) Nelson, and Leanna (Chris) Moen. 

As we remember Lee, we celebrate his life, one characterized by kindness, creativity and unwavering support for loved ones, including many beloved cats and dogs. He was a legendary salesman, entrepreneur, creator, husband and father, known to his girls and all who knew them simply as Papa.

A Celebration of his life is pending for this summer. Memorials may be made to any cause that embraces all humankind and promotes equality and dignity for all, including our animal friends.