1933- Elson Nelson – 2019
Eldon Nelson was born on January 14, 1933 on the family farm near Hadley, Minnesota to Albert and Elizabeth Kuehl Nelson. He grew up on the farm and graduated from Slayton High School in 1950. Eldon enlisted in the United States Air Force on November 25, 1952. Following his honorable discharge as Staff Sergeant on November 24, 1956 he returned to the family farm. On June 20, 1957 he and Elvera DeZeeuw were married in Chandler, MN. Following their marriage they made their home in Slayton while Eldon farmed with his brother, Lewis. In January 1961 they moved to a farm north of Hadley, MN and farmed together. In October 2005 they moved to Slayton. In his retirement Eldon helped his son, Kevin with his hay business. In 1998 Eldon and Elvera started spending their winter in Mesa, AZ where they have many wonderful friends that they consider family. Eldon passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 86. He was a past member of the Hadley Lutheran Church in Hadley, MN where he severed on the church council and as usher. In 2015 they joined Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Eldon enjoyed spending time with his family, farming, traveling, playing cards, coffee with friends, and working on his computer.
Survivors include his wife, Elvera Nelson of Slayton, MN, four children and their spouses, Kevin and Linda Nelson, of Hadley, MN, Kim and Jolene Nelson of Hadley, MN, Kathy and Tom Olsem of Dundee, MN, and Ken Nelson of Hadley, MN, 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Norma Nelson of Wilmont, MN, and Sodona and her husband, Glen Pearson of New Prague, MN, and one brother-in-law, Ernie Engelkes of Slayton, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, two, brothers, Lewis and Curtis Nelson and one sister, Betty Engelkes.
Funeral Services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Grant Fischer officiating. The organist is Nancy Lee Pierson with special music by Nikki Cheskie. The pallbearers are Shawn Nelson, Scott Nelson, Jesse Nelson, Jason Nelson, Alex Olsem and Brandon Nelson. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN. Military honors accorded by the Slayton American Legion Post and the Slayton VFW Post.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton from 5-7 p.m. and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
