1924
Edgar
2015
Edgar Nordahl Nelson
July 3, 1924 — November 2, 2015
OBITUARY NOTICE
Edgar Nordahl Nelson, 91, of Red Wing, died Monday, November 2, 2015 at his home. He was born July 3, 1924 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Nordahl and Mabel (Nelson) Nelson. He grew up in London, Minnesota above his family's general store and post office and attended Lyle High School. He met Shirley Mae Bird at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and they married in 1946 after his graduation. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri, raising 7 children, and their love flourished for 68 years. He worked as a chemist at Mallinckrodt Chemical Company for 41 years, first in the uranium division and later in stearate applications, retiring in 1988.
He was a devoted husband and father, spending countless hours at his children's and grandchildren's events. A great sports fan, he played baseball, football and basketball in high school and college and was a lifelong St Louis Cardinals fan. Camping and canoeing were frequent activities with family, and he taught his children and grandchildren fly fishing. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and an easy smile. In spite of his declining health, he continued playing and winning cribbage and gin rummy games with family until his death. He enjoyed maps and planning travel to several continents and across the US and Canada to visit family and national parks...although he always ended the trips with some version of "phew, we got that over with!" He encouraged independent and critical thinking, exercised during lively, respectful dinnertime conversations. As his children's academic interests and careers diversified, he kept up in a variety of fields, clipping articles to share with them from his chemistry journals. After all, everything is chemistry.
Kind and genuine, he lived a life of service. He was never happier than when he was doing something for someone else. He served faithfully on many church councils and social action committees in St Louis. He never had the loudest voice in the room, but always was a voice of reason and compassion, and was well regarded by all. In 2003 he and Shirley moved to Red Wing and joined First Lutheran Church. He continued to be a volunteer driver for Faith In Action until health concerns prevented further service.
He is survived by seven children, Stan (Pat Kitteringham) Nelson of Toronto, Canada, Rod Nelson of Austin, TX, Greg (Ann) Nelson of Raynham, MA, Mark (Lila) Nelson of Huntsville, AL, Tim (Ellen) Nelson of Holt, MO, Beth Nelson of Arden Hills and Peggy (Randy) Decker of Red Wing; 16 grandchildren, Tim, Colin, Erica, Danielle, Heather, Jeff, Steve, Leah, Chris, Andrew, Daniel, Kirstin, Peter, Thomas, Matt and Amy; four great grandchildren, Clara, Anna, Shawn, Jr. and Hailey; one sister, Margaret (Bill) Fure; one brother, Lloyd; two sister-in-laws, Carrie Nelson and Ruthie Bird, along with many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley in June, 2014, his parents, two brothers David & Stanley, sister-in-law LaVine, brother-in-law Ronnie Bird, and 3 grandchildren, Katrina, Nicole and Dane.
Memorial service will be Tuesday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Arte Sharot officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to your local United Way, Bread for the World or donor's choice. Arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson- Mahn Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
615 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
615 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Edgar Nordahl Nelson, 91, of Red Wing, died Monday, November 2, 2015 at his home. He was born July 3, 1924 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Nordahl and Mabel (Nelson) Nelson. He grew up in London, Minnesota above his family's general store and post office and attended Lyle High School. He met Shirley Mae Bird at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and they married in 1946 after his graduation. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri, raising 7 children, and their love flourished for 68 years. He worked as a chemist at Mallinckrodt Chemical Company for 41 years, first in the uranium division and later in stearate applications, retiring in 1988.
He was a devoted husband and father, spending countless hours at his children's and grandchildren's events. A great sports fan, he played baseball, football and basketball in high school and college and was a lifelong St Louis Cardinals fan. Camping and canoeing were frequent activities with family, and he taught his children and grandchildren fly fishing. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and an easy smile. In spite of his declining health, he continued playing and winning cribbage and gin rummy games with family until his death. He enjoyed maps and planning travel to several continents and across the US and Canada to visit family and national parks...although he always ended the trips with some version of "phew, we got that over with!" He encouraged independent and critical thinking, exercised during lively, respectful dinnertime conversations. As his children's academic interests and careers diversified, he kept up in a variety of fields, clipping articles to share with them from his chemistry journals. After all, everything is chemistry.
Kind and genuine, he lived a life of service. He was never happier than when he was doing something for someone else. He served faithfully on many church councils and social action committees in St Louis. He never had the loudest voice in the room, but always was a voice of reason and compassion, and was well regarded by all. In 2003 he and Shirley moved to Red Wing and joined First Lutheran Church. He continued to be a volunteer driver for Faith In Action until health concerns prevented further service.
He is survived by seven children, Stan (Pat Kitteringham) Nelson of Toronto, Canada, Rod Nelson of Austin, TX, Greg (Ann) Nelson of Raynham, MA, Mark (Lila) Nelson of Huntsville, AL, Tim (Ellen) Nelson of Holt, MO, Beth Nelson of Arden Hills and Peggy (Randy) Decker of Red Wing; 16 grandchildren, Tim, Colin, Erica, Danielle, Heather, Jeff, Steve, Leah, Chris, Andrew, Daniel, Kirstin, Peter, Thomas, Matt and Amy; four great grandchildren, Clara, Anna, Shawn, Jr. and Hailey; one sister, Margaret (Bill) Fure; one brother, Lloyd; two sister-in-laws, Carrie Nelson and Ruthie Bird, along with many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley in June, 2014, his parents, two brothers David & Stanley, sister-in-law LaVine, brother-in-law Ronnie Bird, and 3 grandchildren, Katrina, Nicole and Dane.
Memorial service will be Tuesday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Arte Sharot officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to your local United Way, Bread for the World or donor's choice. Arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson- Mahn Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
NOV 17. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CST)
First Lutheran Church-Red Wing615 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Service
NOV 17. 2:00 PM (CST)
First Lutheran Church-Red Wing615 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
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