Dale E. Nelson

Dale E. Nelson, age 79 of rural Little Falls, passed away on January 11, 2014 at the VA Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M on Friday, January 17, 2014 at the Camp Ripley Chapel north of Little Falls, MN with Rev. Nate Bjorge officiating. Burial will be at the Darling Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN and 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the Camp Ripley Chapel north of Little Falls. Dale was born on October 5, 1934 at Dr. Hall's Hospital in Little Falls, Minnesota to August (Monnie) and Ethel (Johnson) Nelson. He attended country school District 49 and graduated from Little Falls High School in May of l952. After graduation, Dale worked for Land O' Lakes Creamery hauling milk. In January l954, he entered the US Army until January of l956. After his service, he worked for the Little Falls Transcript for one year and then went back to hauling milk for the West Side Creamery for the next ten years. In June 1964, Dale and Joanne (Schultz) were married at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls. After living in Little Falls for two years, Dale and Joanne purchased Dale's home farm and began raising turkeys and crop farmed until he turned the farm over to his sons, Jon and Mike in 2007. Dale was proud when this farm was named a Century Farm in 2005. Dale enjoyed many hunting trips to Montana, Canada, Colorado and in Minnesota. He was a retired member of the Bonnie Doone hunting camp in Northern MN. He enjoyed fishing in many of Minnesota's lakes and in Canada. But his greatest joy was fishing with his grandkids. Dale was an avid bowler, bowling in several men's leagues for many years and bowling with Joanne in a mixed couples league. He was treasurer for Darling Township for 40 years and served as Chairman on the Morrison County Association Board. Dale was a charter member of the Randall/Cushing Lion's Club, a certified Auctioneer and had his Real Estate License. Dale served on various committees while attending Bethel Lutheran Church. He was a Charter Member of Faith Lutheran Church in Little Falls, was a member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and helped with the DAV's clothing drive each summer. In their retirement years, Dale and Joanne enjoyed traveling to visit friends, relatives, National Parks, and sightseeing. They were able to visit all but three of Minnesota's 74 State Parks. In his spare time, Dale restored two old tractors and was working on a l929 Ford Model A. Dale is survived by his wife, Joanne Nelson of 49 ½ years; daughters, Deborah (Scott) Hagen of Belle Plaine, MN, Becky (Greg) Pietrowski of Sartell, MN; sons, Jonathan Nelson, and Michael Nelson (significant other, Raena Wellman) of rural Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Brooke and Benjamin Hagen, Amber and Austin Pietrowski; sisters, Hazel Lindborg of Little Falls, MN and Juliette Mohr of Hemet, CA.; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many friends. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Monnie and Ethel; grandparents; brothers-in-law, Robert Lindborg and Emil Mohr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry Wiczek, Mike Roach, Gary Justin, Jim Ring, members of the Darling Township Board: Roland (Shag) and Mary Mammenga, Duane Ballou and Greg Zilka and members of the Bonnie Doone Hunting Camp. Memorials can be made to the DAV, church or donor's choice. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN (320)632-5242 www.shelleyfuneralchapels.com

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Dale E. Nelson

October 5, 1934 - January 11, 2014