Jan Nelson grew up in northern Iowa and moved to Manson in 1973. She graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College and Buena Vista University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in  Elementary Education. Jan began her teaching career in Fort Dodge before moving to the elementary department at Manson Northwest Webster. She retired in May of 2021 after 30 years of teaching.  Jan lives outside of Manson with her husband Richard. They own and operate a family trucking business, Nelson Trucking. They have 3 children who are all graduates of Manson Northwest Webster. Their sons, Christopher and Colten, also are involved in the family business and both live in Manson. Their daughter, Courtney, lives in Sydney, Australia, and teaches nutrition at the University of North South Wales.