Selmer Clarence Nelson

NELSON, BARTUSEK, ANDERSON, BALDWIN

Posted By: Keith E. Nelson (email)
Date: 6/14/2005 at 18:21:48

SELMER CLARENCE NELSON

Phoenix, Ariz. — After several months in a nursing home, fighting the ravages of age, Selmer Clarence Nelson, Jr., 79, of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away on May 24, 2004.

We speak of men dying before their time but this was truly the case. Stories from the ancients tell of crossing the dark river to the realms of the eternally blessed. He embarked on the journey but his time among us appeared so short.

Selmer was a kind man, personable, gentle, and friendly to all. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and conviction. Well known for his sense of humor and humility, he was very active in his many circles of friends, Masons, Shriners, church, and even as a square dance caller.

During the early 1960s, with the aid of his love of music and his friendly, outgoing personality, he developed a following while dancing with the Isaac Squares dance group in Phoenix and groups from all over Arizona requested him to call at their events.

After he moved from Iowa to Arizona, the warmth of the sunshine allowed him to spend hours at a time in the backyard with the grill, massaging the heat from the embers to create the "perfect" meal.

His work in the trades, his attention to detail and precision and his love of being able to create with his hands also led to many beautiful projects of which several fine pieces of woodwork, metalwork, and craft items remain because of his skills.

Selmer was born on Jan. 11, 1925, in Mason City, to Selmer and Mary Nelson. His father, born in Hendricks, Minn., came from Norwegian ancestors and Mary (Amanda Andersen) emigrated from Denmark in 1921.

Selmer graduated from Mason City High School in the Class of 1943 and married his "classmate" Ruth Darlene Bartusek, daughter of Thomas (Tom, a Bohemian immigrant) and Hazel Bartusek, on Mar. 26, 1944, in Mason City.

They filled out the family with Karen Marie Nelson, born Sept. 26, 1945 n died Sept. 28, 1945; Keith Eugene Nelson, born Dec. 20, 1947, and Sheila Rae Nelson, born Feb. 16, 1950.

Selmer worked as a tinner for Decker's Meats in Mason City and continued on to the Oliver Farm Equipment-John Deere plant in Charles City but the humidity and cold Iowa winters worsened his already painful arthritis.

He was walking with two canes when he decided to leave them behind as the family moved to a warm, sunny Phoenix, Ariz. in 1952.

He worked as a journeyman metalworker and tool and die inspector for several years at Goodyear Aerospace Co. in Goodyear, Ariz. until a plant "slowdown" laid him off.

After the layoff, he went to work for Motorola in Scottsdale where he worked until his retirement in 1987.

Ruth died on Sept. 1, 1963, and Selmer continued as a single parent with Keith and Sheila until marrying Betty (Rust) Anderson in 1967.

Following his retirement from Motorola, he spent several years as Secretary for Scottsdale Masonic Lodge No. 43 and was also a very active member of El Zaribah Shrine and Camelback Daylight Lodge No. 75.

Selmer is survived by wife Betty; son, Keith; daughter, Sheila; stepsons, Bruce and Bob Anderson; brother, Dennis (Denny); and sister, Aleda Baldwin; and their respective families.

Memorial services were held May 27, 2004, at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church where he and Betty had been members for many years.

A favorite old newspaper article gives us the final quote: "Truly a good, honest, upright citizen has gone from among us."

Published in The Mason City Globe Gazette on 6/17/2004 and The Arizona Republic on 6/20/2004