LaMonte "Monty" Nelson

LaMonte "Monty" Lowell Nelson, 73, of Red Wing, completed his journey on Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 at his home at Potter Ridge. He was born on June 24, 1936, in Litchfield, Minnesota to Curtiss and Alma (Haider) Nelson. He graduated in 1954 from Red Wing Central High School and in 1958 from the University of Minnesota. He served six years in the National Guard. On June 15, 1957 he was married to Rita Fitzgerald. In 1958 they moved to Red Wing where he went into business with his father at Nelson's Super Valu. In 1966 they moved from Red Wing and lived in various places where he was employed in sales and marketing. Rita died in February 1994. In 1998 he returned to Red Wing and was active in many local organizations including the Red Wing Lions Club, Red Wing Area Food Shelf, Red Wing Senior Center, Faith in Action and Men in Mission. He worked for Mississippi National Golf Links and was a van driver for the Red Wing School System. He was also a part of the local talent group called the Funsters. He was a member of United Lutheran Church, Red Wing Elks BPOE #845 and the Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post #54. He enjoyed fishing, boating, golfing and trap shooting, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. A faithful friend to many he lived his life caring for others. GO PACK!

Survivors include three children; John (Connie) Nelson of Sioux City, Iowa, Karen (Tom) Birsa of Joliet, Illinois and Diane Nelson of Stevens Point, Wis.; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren; four siblings, Donna Nelson of Fargo, North Dakota, Barbara Diercks of Red Wing, Robert (Karmen) Nelson of Mesa, Ariz. and Shirley (Jim) Macho of Cross Timbers, Missouri; one sister-in-law Eileen Fitzgerald of Minneapolis; special friend Rosemary Bernard; nieces and nephews along with many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Claire Fitzgerald and one brother-in-law, Jack Fitzgerald.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at United Lutheran Church with Rev. Randall Johnson officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Resurrection Cemetery near Joliet, Illinois. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the Red Wing Area Food Shelf, American Cancer Society or the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.