Richard
Richard W. (Dick) Nelson
d. October 28, 2013
southwest MN and graduated from Tracy High School in 1949. He began college at
Mankato State, but it was interrupted by the Korean Conflict. He served his country
as an MP in the Army and was stationed in Korea. He was awarded the Korean
Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, and a Combat
Infantry Badge. When he returned from Korea, he began college at St. Cloud State
University. His major was business and he taught 28 years in Plainview, MN, where
he also coached boys and girls basketball for many winning seasons.
While attending St. Cloud State, he met and married the love of his life, Delores
(Dee) Smith, celebrating their 59th Anniversary on August 15, 2013. They had two
daughters, Blair and Marni. Dick also completed his Masters of Business at the
University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Multiple interests included traveling to nearly every state in the U.S. and spending 4
months in Europe visiting sites during two family vacations. The family also enjoyed
camping in the summers. Dick had a keen sense of humor, enjoyed imparting clever
quips and humorous stories. Dick also played guitar, piano, accordion and
harmonica. Until very recently, he continued to play the piano and harmonica to
entertain residents in the nursing home, always playing by “ear” since he couldn’t
read a note of music. He loved most sports and lettered in football, basketball and
track in high school and track in college. Golfing was a lifelong love, a sport he
taught both his daughters. Golfing was also his retirement sport of choice. He often
gave advice to some who needed help. He enjoyed golf during the time he and his
wife spent 18 winters in South Texas. He was also a member of Peace United
Methodist Church, where he served the role of financial secretary for 20 years.
Richard is survived by his wife, Dee, two daughters, Blair Sanford (Scott), Marni
Noldin (Mari Reinheimer), one sister, Betty Meyer, Hillsdale, MI, 2 brothers, Robert
Nelson, Hutchinson, MN and David (Carol) Nelson, Hillsdale, MI and many nieces,
nephews and cousins. He has 5 grandchildren, Emily, Ellen and Jonathan Noldin
and Will and Mary Sanford. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters:
Juleen Paetzel, Ruth Detlefson, Carol Einertson, Jeannette Cunningham, Janice
Miller and brother, Howard Nelson.
Richard was a wonderful devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother as
well as a good neighbor, teacher and friend to many. A truly good Christian man has
left this earth, leaving a fine example to follow.
His family would like to thank everyone for your cards, emails, and prayers during the
past several months during his illness and subsequent decline. We also thank the
caregivers at Sienna Meadows and Oregon Manor in Oregon, WI, where he spent
the last 8 months.
Visitation is scheduled at Schad and Zabel, Plainview, MN on Friday, November 15
from 4:00-7:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held on November 16 at 11:00 AM,
preceded by visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at PEACE United Methodist Church,
Plainview. A burial service at Greenwood Cemetery will follow the luncheon.
Memorials may be directed to Peace United Methodist Church or Mayo Clinic
Alzheimer’s Research.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard W. (Dick) Nelson, please visit our flower store.
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