Willard Converse Nelson (1877-1939)

NELSON, COLLIS, STATLER, BURNS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

From Nevada Evening Journal September 18, 1939 (page 3)

Willard Nelson Laid to Rest In Nevada Cemetery

The body of Willard C. Nelson, 62, who died suddenly while visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Burns at South Bend, Ind., early Thursday morning, was laid to rest in the Nevada cemetery, under the commitment ceremonial of the Masonic lodge, Saturday afternoon, following the funeral service at the Bishop Funeral home.

Rev. Joseph M. Kennedy of Central Presbyterian church was in charge and Mrs. Armstrong was at the piano.

The following brief sketch of the life of the deceased was read by the minister during the service:

"Willard Converse Nelson was born of English parentage at Monson, Mass., on March 5, 1877. He was the only child of Mary Collis-Nelsona and Willard Nelson. Mr. Nelson grew to manhood in the eastern states where he attended school and received an exceptionally fine education. He took work in several different universities and held a number of degrees for higher learning.

"He probably valued most highly his work at the Massachusetts School of Art where he specialized in art and music.

"Mr. Nelson came to this section of the country as a young man to accept a position on Blees Military Academy at Macon, Mo. He later went to Kearney, Neb., as an instructor in the Kearney Military Academy and from there to Lincoln, Neb., where he held a similar position with the Lincoln Military academy. Associated with him in his work at Lincoln was his wife, Clara Statler Nelson to whom he was married in July of 1911, at Iowa City.

"Closing their work at Lincoln the Nelson came to Nevada in 1916 where Mr. Nelson served in the public school for two years, being instrumental in organizing the athletic work of the school. In 1918 Mr. Nelson became a member of the Des Moines public school system and he served in this capacity for fifteen years being honorably retired at the end of that time. During this period both he and Mrs. Nelson became widely known through their service with youth organizations. Mr. Nelson always loved boys and his whole life was spent in altruistic service for youth instruction and youth organizations.

"Following retirement from the school work in Des Moines, Mr. Nelson was appointed manager of the Government Transient house at Bellevue, Neb. He was in this work from 1934 to 1936 giving special help in the field of vocational training. This project was then discontinued and Mr. Nelson again served youth as a field representative for Father Flannigans' School for Boys.

"He gave up this work in 1938, coming to Nevada at a time when his coming was much appreciated. He remained a portion of that year at the Statler home. He then spent several months in Chicago where he was a patient in the Rush Medical hospital for a portion of the time. Upon being dismissed from hospital care, he went to South Bend, Ind., where beginning last Easter, he made his home with his sister-in-law and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Burns.

"Mr. Nelson belonged to many organizations during his active and interesting lifetime. He was Son of Veteran of G. A. R. He served in the National Guard while in Nebraska and was identified with many military and teachers' organizations. He was active in the Masonic lodge, having taken many degrees and being a member of Capital Lodge 110 of Des Moines. He was Knight Templar and Shrine member.

"His friendly and helpful characteristics will be long remembered by all who knew him."