Donald Nelson, 77

Donald Paul Nelson, 77, Elbow Lake, died Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27 at 1:30 p.m. at Bethlehem/West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake with Pastor Scott Ruud officiating. Burial will be at Union Cemetery in Elbow Lake. Visitation will be held Friday, November 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church and resume one hour before the service on Saturday.

Don was born April 6, 1933 in Elbow Lake to Paul S. and Ivy (Blume) Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman and graduated from Herman High School in 1951.

On March 7, 1953, Don married Gladys Lohse, and the couple farmed in Elbow Lake Township until 1989, when they moved to Elbow Lake. Don purchased Don’s Car Wash in 1988. He was an active member of Bethlehem/West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church where he spent countless hours volunteering his time to keep everything running smoothly. Don wouldn’t belong to any organization if he couldn’t dedicate the time and energy to it.

He served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board, chairman of the Herman Market Board, the Elbow Lake Power Commission, and Bethlehem Church. An avid golfer, Don also served on the Tipsinah Mounds Golf Board.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys; children, Michael (Julie) Nelson of Elbow Lake, Teresa (Jim) Gruber of St. Paul, and Lynda (Denny) Bell of Terre Haute, Indiana; grandchildren, Janee (Kurt) Strunk, Reid Nelson, Kayla (John) Todd, Merit and Brenna Bell, and Angela Gruber; one great-grandchild, Tenley Michelle Strunk; and one brother, Ken (Joan) Nelson of Crestone, Colorado.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ivy Nelson.

Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem/West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.EricksonSmithFH.com.

Arrangements are with the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake.

A00009B2010NV26

Tags: donald nelson, obituaries, nelson