Nelson, Robert 1953 - 2023

NELSON, BOETTCHER, SPALLA, CUSHMAN, ELLIS, GRANT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:21

Robert “Bob” Nelson, age 69, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at his home in Cresco, Iowa.

Funeral services for Robert will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 15, 2023 at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Bryce officiating. Burial will follow the service at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Preston. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco, and will continue from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Friday.

Robert was born December 19, 1953 in Williston, North Dakota to John and Mae (Boettcher) Nelson. He was raised on the family’s ranch near Westby, Montana. In 1972, Robert joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. After returning to the States, he worked in the oil fields in Montana and Wyoming for many years.

After the oil field slowed down, Robert drove semi-trucks over the road for many years. His family will always wonder how he drove from Northern California to Jacksonville, Florida in 2 days, “illegally of course”. Robert loved his trucks and the open road.

In Mile City, Montana, Robert met Rose Spalla. The couple were married in Spillville, IA, in 1978, and had 4 children. Many years later the couple divorced. While working for Habitat for Humanity, Robert met Debra Cushman, and the couple married.

Robert was a master of fixing older cars, swapping out motors and rebuilding transmissions. He learned the trade of tooled leather work. Robert made many guitar straps, belts, billfolds, and many other pieces of art. Robert loved country and gospel music and attended concerts. Over the years he taught himself the steel guitar.

Robert is survived by his wife Debra Nelson of Cresco, IA; 4 children Christina Nelson and her daughter Amber of Kenosha, WI, Jeremiah (Abby) Nelson of Cresco, IA and their children Amelia, Jaelyn, Josiah, Alyssa, and Jedidiah, Jacob (Megan) Nelson of Cresco, IA and their son Barrett, and Joshua of Morning Sun, IA and his children Liam, Ella, and Wyatt; 5 brothers and sisters Ronnie (Julie) Nelson of Westby, MT, Katheryn Ellis of Minot, ND, Patsy (Tom) Grant of New Richmond, WI, Roger (Julie) Nelson of Billings, MT, John (Barb) Nelson of Billings, Mt, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Mae Nelson.

Source: Hindt Funeral Home database