NELSON, James A. (1909-1996)

NELSON, LARSON, OLSON, BJORNSEN, MARTIN, DOLAN, CHRISTENSEN, LICARI, TREVOR, BENNETT, RASMUSON, SENNER, GRAY

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 9/26/2022 at 15:42:36

James A. Nelson Sr.
1909-1996

Services for long-time Crystal Lake businessman, James A. Nelson Sr., 86, who died Friday, May 24, 1996, at the Muse Norris Hospice House in Mason City, were held Tuesday, May 28, 2 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake with Rev. Kenneth Suetterlin officiating.

Music was provided by organist, Mabel Rensink, who accompanied the congregational hymns and soloist, Alan Peebles. Ushers were Red Cottington and Harold Nielsen.

Burial was at the Crystal Lake Cemetery with Ewing Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

James Andrew Nelson, the son of L. Andrew and Mary (Larson) Nelson, was born August 14, 1909, at Crystal Lake. He was a 1926 graduate of Crystal Lake High School. He attended Britt Junior College in 1930.

December 12, 1933, he married Myrtle Olson at Cresco.

Jim worked for 70 years in the family grocery business, joining his father after his high school graduation and taking over the business in 1943, upon the death of his father.

He served as mayor from 1938-1942 and mayor pro- tem from 1964-1968. He also served on the city council from 1946-1980.

He was a member of the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church, the Senior Citizens, and was a charter member of the Commercial Club.

Jim lived his entire life in Crystal Lake.

He is survived by his daughter, Marilyn Bjornsen of Decorah; his son, James of Crystal Lake; four grandchildren, Erik Nelson of Crystal Lake, Randy Bjornsen of Hillsboro, WI, Diane Martin of Mason City, and Sonja Dolan of Minneapolis. MN; six great-grandchildren, Hannah Bjornsen of Montour, Caleb Christensen of Mason City, Melissa Licari of Winona, MN, Andrew Trevor and Spencer Bjornsen of Hillsboro, WI; his sister. Miriam Bennett of Des Moines; six nephews, Tom Rasmuson, James Nelson, Edward Bennett, Robert Bennett, Lance Nelson and Scott Nelson; three nieces, Mary Senner, Janet Gray and Linda Nelson; and a sister-in-law, Elsie Nelson of West Des Moines.

He was preceded in death by his wife. Myrtle on June 3, 1987; his son, David, on January 3, 1996; his daughter-in-law, Sondra on January 1, 1992; his great-granddaughter, Jory Bjornsen of October 15, 1991; his father on June 5, 1943; his mother on January 8, 1980; his sister, Helen Rasmuson on August 12, 1984; his brothers, Morton on February 1, 1975, and Wilbur on November 3, 1987.

source: Leader & Signal, Garner, Iowa, 5 Jun 1996, section 3, page 3, column 4