Nelson, Sylvan -- 1928 - 1996

NELSON, KNUDSON, OCONNOR, KNOX, GOURLEY

Posted By: Barry M. Dahl (email)
Date: 12/13/2010 at 14:17:52

From the Fillmore County Journal, of January 22, 1996.

Sylvan Nelson, 67, of rural Canton, died Thursday (Jan. 11, 1996) of cancer at his home.

He was born March 18, 1928, near Mabel where he grew up and graduated from Mabel High School in 1947. He spent two summers with a threshing crew near Crosby, N.D., and later began farming. On Aug. 29, 1950, he married Charlotte Knudson and she survives. The couple farmed in Lenora for 12 years before buying Knudson Century Farm north of Canton in Amherst Township.

Mr. Nelson was a member of the Garness Trinity Lutheran Church of Rural Mabel, former president of the Mabel Lions Club and served as an active member for the past 15 years. In addition, he was a member of the Cattlemen's Association and served on the board of directors for the MN Cutting Horse Association. The couple served as a host family for foreign exchange students. Mr. Nelson enjoyed feeding cattle, riding horses, competing in cutting horse competitions, hosting horse shows and trail rides.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Teresa (Mrs. Richard) O'Conner of Mabel and Deb (Mrs. Dennis) Gourley of Waukon, Iowa; four sons, Robert of Lanesboro, Kevin of Canton, Joe of Mabel and Todd of La Crescent; 21 grandchildren; his mother Stella Nelson of Mabel; a sister, Glorianne (Mrs. Richard) Knox of Mabel; and a brother, Michael Nelson of Wykoff. He was preceded in death by a brother.

The funeral was at Garness Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Mabel.

Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.