Donald Ordean NELSON

NELSON, LUND

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:44

Donald Ordean Nelson
11 October 1926 --- 16 May 2020

Donald O. Nelson
Don was born on October 11, 1926 in Estherville, Iowa. The oldest of 3 children, Don graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1943 before enrolling at The University of Texas in Austin. He joined the United States Navy on March 1, 1944 and served until his Honorable Discharge on January 24, 1947 where he retired as a Second Lieutenant from the Navy. On July 14, 1946, Don was transferred to the USS Deliver ARS 23 where he served until January 1, 1947.

One of his most interesting assignments while aboard the USS Deliver, was to witness a nuclear bomb test on Bikini Island. The Deliver, a naval supply ship, was part of a contingent of ships to witness the test. Afterwards, they sailed to many overseas port of calls before returning to the US.

After his retirement from the Navy, Don returned to college where he graduated in May of 1948 with degrees in BS in Naval Science and Tactics and a BBA. He moved to Houston, TX where he met and married the love of his life, Bette Jean Lund, on August 21, 1955 at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Houston. They were married for just over 61 years before her passing in 2016. They were the proud parents of 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Don worked for the steel industry for 51 years until his retirement in 2001. His hobbies include fishing, boating, golfing, gardening, singing in the church choir and watching his grandchildren laugh and play.