Darwin Dean NELSON

NELSON, PALS, BOTHWELL, BROOKS, HUNT, NILES, GOBELI, TORKLESON, JENKINS, LYONS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/11/2011 at 15:28:20

October 5, 1929 - May 3, 2011

Clear Lake, Iowa --- Darwin Dean Nelson died on May 3, 2011. According to Darwin’s wishes he has been cremated. A private family inurnment will take place in Clear Lake Cemetery later this month. His family will host a celebration of his life on May 30th at noon at 1403 North 8th Street, Clear Lake for family and friends. The son of Theodore and Greone (Pals) Nelson was born on October 5, 1929 in Meservey, Iowa. He attended several different schools in the area, graduating from Swaledale High School in 1946. On October 5, 1950 he married Margie Lou Pals of Rush City, Minnesota. (October 5th also being Margie’s birthday). They lived in Clear Lake on an acreage north of town for 50 years. Darwin served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Clear Lake V.F.W. Darwin loved his family, farming and taking care of his many types of animals. He always enjoyed showing off his new tractor, tool, or exotic animal he had purchased. For many years he sold Christmas trees, raised pheasants and other exotic birds and shared hay baling business with his brothers-in-law, Jim and Bob Pals, friends Carl Reicherts and Miles Davis. He would dress up like Santa Claus for his nieces and nephews. He was also a member of the Clear Lake Police Department reserves during the July 4th celebrations for many years. He was always ready with a story or a joke to tell until a stroke a few years ago left him unable to do so. He enjoyed having a good laugh with family and friends. He worked at Deckers Meat Packiing Plant, Armour and retired from Con Agra. Those wishing to give a memorial contribution in his memory may wish to consider giving to Hospice of North Iowa.

Darwin is survived by his wife of sixty years, Margie of Mason City: four daughters, Deborah Nelson of Clear Lake, Julie Bothwell and husband Steve of Mason City, Linda Brooks and husband Mike of Omaha, NE, Pam Hunt and husband Jim of Clear Lake. Twelve grandchildren: Naomi Niles, Heather Niles, John Bothwell, Jordan Brooks, Jacob Brooks, Charlotte Haney, Shannon Brooks, Brandy Brooks, Ben Hunt, Alex Hunt, Lauren Hunt and Mallory Hunt and seven great-grandchildren. Four siblings Jeanyce Gobeli of Milton, FL, Shirley Nelson of Lake Mills, Loren Nelson of Denison, Merna Torkleson of Clear Lake, other extended family members including many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel, his parents, two brothers, Roger and Richard and three sisters, Wanda Jenkins, Melva Pals and Leola Lyons. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St, Clear Lake, IA.

http://www.funeralhomemasoncity.com/sitemaker/sites/HoganB1/obit.cgi?user=374600Nelson