Don Nelson

Don Nelson, 88, a lifetime resident of Atlantic passed away early December 31, 2002 at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.The son of Ray and Agnes Nelson he was born October 7, 1914 in Brayton, Iowa. He graduated from the Atlantic High School in 1932 and attended Dana College at Blair, Nebraska for one year. Don was united in marriage to Fern Hanson on June 23, 1940 at Brayton, Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and served until his discharge in 1946. He was chief clerk and as Staff Sergeant received the American Theater Service Medal and European - African - Middle Eastern Service Medal from the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. Following military service, Don was an insurance agent and an auto-parts man until retirement in 1982. He was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church and was active throughout his life serving many years on the church council, 40 years as a Sunday school teacher and 55 years in the church choir. He was a member and volunteer for the Danish Immigrant Museum, a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a past president of the Atlantic Lions Club and a charter member of the Nishna Valley Chordsmen. He served for the food pantry and delivered Meals-on-Wheels.Survivors are his wife Fern of Atlantic; one daughter Cathy Allen and her husband David of Torrance, California and a number of nieces and nephews;He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Armo Nelson.Funeral InformationFuneral services for Don were will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2003 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic with Pastor Jane Jensen and Pastor Stephen Gronseth officiating. Interment will be in the Atlantic Cemetery with military honors provided by the Atlantic Veteran's Color Guard.