Nelson, Rudolph S. (1924-2015)
NELSON, TWITO, KINGLAND, TSURUTA, HINMAN
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/25/2016 at 17:29:50
Rudolph S. Nelson
January 06, 1924 - January 03, 2016
U.S. Veteran Rudolph Nelson, of Scarville, Iowa, passed away at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, on January 3, 2016, three days from his 92nd birthday.
Rudolph (Rudy or Dede) was born in Scarville on January 6, 1924, to Miler and Myrtle Nelson. He graduated from Scarville High School in 1941 and went on to attend Waldorf College before enlisting in the Army in 1943 and serving in World War II.
Seeing combat in the European Theater with the 103rd Infantry Division (Cactus Division), he fought in several battles including the Battle of the Bulge and as a part of the Rhineland Central Europe Campaign. During this time, he, independently, learned German and became an interpreter during the war. For his service, he received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Battle Stars and the Expert Marksmanship and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Upon returning from the war, he continued his education, receiving an associate degree from Waldorf in 1947, a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Iowa in 1950, and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Iowa in 1951. While still a student, he married Helen Arlene Twito in the fall of 1948. In 1951, he began working for Hormel Foods Corporation in Austin, Minnesota, where he held several positions before he retired in 1989 as a corporate purchasing executive.
Throughout his life, Rudolph was an active member of his community. He served as a scout leader, an Austin City Council member, and as St. Olaf Church President. A pilot, he became a Flying Shriner. In addition, he joined the Masons, the American Legion, the Elks’ Club, and the Sons of Norway, and he became Y’s Man.
To those who knew him and to those he just met, he radiated irrepressible wit, humor, and kindness.
Rudolph is preceded in death by his parents, Miler and Myrtle, and his sister, LuVerna Kingland. He is survived by his wife, Helen Arlene; his two daughters, Deborah and Cynthia; his brother and sister-in-law, KarLyle and Lois Nelson; his son-in-law, Ryoji Tsuruta; his grandchildren, Akane, Kai, and Koh Tsuruta; and his niece, Ann Hinman, and her family; as well as an untold number of friends who will miss him dearly.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, January 8, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, Iowa, with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday evening, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, Iowa 50450, and again one hour prior to services at the church. Military Honors will be conducted by Lake Mills Otto/Chose American Legion Post #235. Burial will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Scarville, Iowa.
Copyright © 2015, Mittelstadt Funeral Home
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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