1921
Wilbur
2015
Wilbur Nelson
March 24, 1921 — February 26, 2015
Wilbur Nelson, 93, of Evansville, died Thursday, February 26, 2015 at the Evansville Care Campus.
Wilbur Allen Nelson was born on March 24, 1921 in Evansville, Minnesota the son of Allen and Ruth Nelson. Wilbur was baptized and confirmed in Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Evansville and graduated from the Evansville High School in 1939. After graduation he worked a short time with 3-M in St. Paul.
Wilbur and Florence Johnson were married on June 6, 1942, in the Christina Lake Lutheran Church of rural Melby, Minnesota. On August 12, 1942, he enlisted into the Army Air Corp,
serving during WW II as a Radio Operator Waist Gunner on a B-17 Bomber. Wilbur was stationed in England with the 8th Air Force, flying thirty missions over Germany. He was discharged on June 13, 1945, as a Technical Sergeant. He then returned to 3-M in St. Paul where he worked a short time. Wilbur then purchased Johnson Brothers Store in Melby which he operated for nine years. In 1955, Wilbur and Florence purchased the Schwantz Store in Evansville, renaming it Nelson's Store. Wilbur was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Evansville American Legion, Evansville Community Club, served many terms as the Evansville Mayor, served on the Evansville Historical Foundation Board and had been a member of the Masonic Lodge in Alexandria. Anyone that knew Wilbur knew him to be a man that put his family first, had a strong faith and was generous beyond anyone's expectations. Wilbur was known as the Lutefisk King during the holidays. He liked all sports and enjoyed umpiring baseball and softball.
He is survived by his wife, Florence; son, Scott (Ginny) Nelson of Evansville; daughter, Deb (David) Clark of Rockford, Michigan; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Jody (Jason) Dahlen, Aaron, Halle and Kellen, Jeff (Autumn) Nelson, Reegan, Rowan and Ria, Lee (Amy) Nelson and Mackenzie Clark; and by numerous relatives and friends. Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Ruth Nelson and step-mother, Irene Nelson; and by one brother, Russell Nelson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Evansville Community Club.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville.
Visitation: Monday from 4 to 8 PM at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Clergy: Reverend Dennis Preston
Military Honors: West Douglas County American Legion Post 188, Evansville, Minnesota
Interment: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville, Minnesota
Wilbur Allen Nelson was born on March 24, 1921 in Evansville, Minnesota the son of Allen and Ruth Nelson. Wilbur was baptized and confirmed in Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Evansville and graduated from the Evansville High School in 1939. After graduation he worked a short time with 3-M in St. Paul.
Wilbur and Florence Johnson were married on June 6, 1942, in the Christina Lake Lutheran Church of rural Melby, Minnesota. On August 12, 1942, he enlisted into the Army Air Corp,
serving during WW II as a Radio Operator Waist Gunner on a B-17 Bomber. Wilbur was stationed in England with the 8th Air Force, flying thirty missions over Germany. He was discharged on June 13, 1945, as a Technical Sergeant. He then returned to 3-M in St. Paul where he worked a short time. Wilbur then purchased Johnson Brothers Store in Melby which he operated for nine years. In 1955, Wilbur and Florence purchased the Schwantz Store in Evansville, renaming it Nelson's Store. Wilbur was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Evansville American Legion, Evansville Community Club, served many terms as the Evansville Mayor, served on the Evansville Historical Foundation Board and had been a member of the Masonic Lodge in Alexandria. Anyone that knew Wilbur knew him to be a man that put his family first, had a strong faith and was generous beyond anyone's expectations. Wilbur was known as the Lutefisk King during the holidays. He liked all sports and enjoyed umpiring baseball and softball.
He is survived by his wife, Florence; son, Scott (Ginny) Nelson of Evansville; daughter, Deb (David) Clark of Rockford, Michigan; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Jody (Jason) Dahlen, Aaron, Halle and Kellen, Jeff (Autumn) Nelson, Reegan, Rowan and Ria, Lee (Amy) Nelson and Mackenzie Clark; and by numerous relatives and friends. Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Ruth Nelson and step-mother, Irene Nelson; and by one brother, Russell Nelson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Evansville Community Club.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville.
Visitation: Monday from 4 to 8 PM at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Clergy: Reverend Dennis Preston
Military Honors: West Douglas County American Legion Post 188, Evansville, Minnesota
Interment: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville, Minnesota
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