Donald James Nelson, 1924 – 2010

NELSON, NELSEN, KIRKPATRICK, HARRINGTON, DON, LATHAM, FAUST, HARRIS, GUSTAFSON, MISSAL

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 4/19/2011 at 14:02:57

Funeral services for Donald J. Nelson, 85, Clear Lake, were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 23, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake. He went home to be with his Lord Monday, July 19, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

The Rev. Dan Jordan officiated at the service.

Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Donald James Nelson was born July 29, 1924, at Britt, the son of Emil and Nellie (Nelsen) Nelson. He attended school in Britt and grew up on the family farm.

He married Betty Jean Kirkpatrick July 8, 1946. The couple moved to Clear Lake and he worked for the Rozen Chevrolet Garage and retired after 35 years. Following his retirement, he drove a school bus for Clear Lake for 19 years.

He married Joy Harrington Jan. 19, 1991, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake.

He loved to play Santa Claus for the kids, making peanut brittle, candy, popcorn and having coffee with his friends. He also enjoyed woodworking, making birdhouses and working with his hands. He never met a stranger. He will be remembered for his strong Christian faith and love of his family.

He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, and the I.O.O.F. Lodge and was a past member of Clear Lake Rotary and Men’s Garden Club.

Nelson is survived by his wife, Joy Nelson; his children and their spouses, Kim Don and Patty Nelson, Marengo; K’Lee and Colin Latham, Des Moines; stepchildren and their spouses, Dennis and Jackie Harrington, Ellicott City, Md.; Craig and Linda Harrington, Clarksville, Tenn., and Susan Harrington, Ankeny; sister-in-law, Betty Lou Nelson, Britt; seven grandchildren, Paul Nelson, Sara Nelson, Danny Faust and girlfriend Shannon Harris, Karisa Gustafson and husband Dan, Skylar Faust, C.J. Faust and Rose Faust; two stepgrandchildren, Matthew and Hope Harrington; two great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Micah Gustafson, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings and their spouses, including twin sister Dorothy, Clifford and Grace Nelson, Raymond and Donna Nelson, Lillian and Bud Missal and Myrlen Nelson, and his first wife, Betty Jean.

The Williamsburg Journal Tribune, Williamsburg, Iowa, 29 Jul, 2010, pg 8